Retail Newsletter

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI LABRADOR

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking (including bat/bird marks) present on displayed fruit and some clusters with dull bloom.
Lady Fingers in hands stocked so that customers have to pull off the number they require, ticketed at a keen $5.99/kg.

ALDI HELENSVALE

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking - fruit being added to display was grown by Devaney’s.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, sap stains and a few neck injuries were present.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99/kg - ladyfingers were clustered and exhibited some minor skin marking.

Aldi Fairfield Banana Quality 080921.jpg

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES HELENSVALE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, fruit presented with a section that were semi coloured which would be ready to eat in a few days and coloured fruit - also a basket for singles on the end of the display unit.

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $7.90/kg

COLES HOPE ISLAND

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $4.00.
Stepped display almost in need of topping up.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS HELENSVALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER. Fruit was generally in good condition - some quite dull clusters present.
A full banana category on display with Red tips priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg; Laydingers at $7.50/kg (most of these had a green tinge to the skin) and Kids banded clusters at $2.50.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, display almost in need of a tidy and top up, fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks.
Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with some light rub and scarring of skin.

WOOLWORTHS HARBOUR TOWN GC

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg, Red tips at $4.00/kg, Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic at $5.50/kg All displays needed a top up.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI LABRADOR

Count 23 and 25 Hass stock priced at 99c each, some of the stock packed 16th & 17th August (22-23 days old) - fruit supplied by Avolution Group with growers Avogreen Orchards; Mayfair etc
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI HELENSVALE

Hass were on display- count 23 and 25 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each, packed 16th August so these were 23 days old as well. On a floor stack of fresh stock were the first of Skylark’s NZ avos for Aldi, count 23 ready to be added to the shelf display.
6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

Count 25 Hass supplied by DBM with Dorian Fruit; stock priced at 99c each. (13-14 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES HELENSVALE

Costa and Avorama Hass Avos priced at $1.30ea - primarily all fruit whether on table top display or shelf display was of purple black colour and soft to very soft, found a few pieces with bruising. Stock appeared to be packed 20th August meaning it was 19 days old.
5 piece packs at $5.50ea

COLES FAIRFIELD

Hass Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store at $1.00ea and also on the end of second unit together with the 5 pack display.
5 piece packs at $4.90

COLES HOPE ISLAND

Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea displayed on a table top unit (approx 35% of pieces had skin colour and a percentage were softening); a table top display and an end secondary display were utilised.
5 piece packs were priced at $4.90

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS HELENSVALE

Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.00 ea
5 piece packs ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg at $3.50 on special

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Count 23 Hass supplied by Aussie Orchards Growers and Packers packed 20th August so 19 days old priced at $1.10 each. Majority were clean and presented well. Fruit had purple black skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure - perfect for enjoying now.
1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at $3.50 ea while 5 piece nets were $4.50 each.

WOOLWORTHS HARBOUR TOWN GC

Count 23 Hass Avocados supplied by Green Nugget and Harley’s (packed 25th August so fruit is 14 days old) with ticket price of $1.00 ea. Both sides of the A frame style display had good quality fruit.

Independent retailer Westfield Helensvale

Hass avocados - nice quality fruit at just $0.49 each.

September 03, 2021

Retail Market Week 35

September 03, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures are starting to warm up within a range of 14.6 to 22.4C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 24.8 to 29C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week until the heavens opened on Wednesday with falls of 62 to 90 mm in Tully and Innisfail; whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts had between 16-18mm on Wednesday. Now that the weather is warming bunch age will gradual decrease in terms of how long it takes the bunch to form and fill-out or if you prefer, as the sunlight hours increase together with warmer temperatures growth will hasten - we are now seeing bunch age range 15-16 weeks on farm.

The national cut for last week was just over of 467K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of -0.759% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 470-490K cartons. On farm we are finding the amount of bronzing we have seen in recent weeks has reduced considerably with only 5-8% fruit being graded out due to heavier marking to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival.

Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good though one of the Aldi stores this week had a predominance of green fruit on show. Aldi stock tended to have a higher percentage of fruit with dull bloom. Signage continued to be displayed in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50-$4/kg and Woolworths at $3.50/kg in the stores visited this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week again saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 27% of the total harvest of some 369,784 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 22%; WA at 19%; Tristate at 13% and South Qld at 12%. The remaining 5% came from a combination of the following regions New Zealand, Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and North Qld. This production figure represents a 18% decrease on week prior and was 14% lower than what was forecast for the week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.10 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.29 - $1.00/piece. With NSW, Victoria and Canberra in lockdown this is impacting customer purchase patterns and markets are struggling to move the volume of fruit. Within the markets, avocado sales or lack there of is diabolical to say the least with premium trays selling in the range of $10 -$16/tray depending upon size and quality of each line. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $1 -$8 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $1 to $5 (2nds) --$10-$15/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 404,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 410-430,000 trays per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have again contributed 19% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 70,250 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA experienced 1-2mm of rain most days with 3 of the last 7 days receiving 6-13mm per day, morning temps ranging 3.4-10.6C and daytime temps of 11.2 to 17.6C - the weather conditions hampered harvest this week. Avonova’s packshed should be kicking off next week provided the weather is fine; as we are keen to minimise lenticel and nodule damage.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing and pricing in all three major supermarkets has remained at a stable $1 a piece - so we are hoping this continues to stimulate consumer appetites as the southern states particularly need this - it would be great to see more recipe/usage ideas in store or as a feature in magazines whilst prices are low to encourage consumers to experiment a little more.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass still at $0.99ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00-$1.10 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, whilst having developing skin colour was found to be just yielding to firm - one Woolies store with rather soft fruit this week.

Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets provide an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea ; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.50/bag on special.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit and some clusters with dull bloom.
Lady Fingers in hands stocked so that customers have to pull off the number they require, ticketed at a keen $4.99/kg.

ALDI OXLEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit being mostly green
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99 but no stock

ALDI COOPAROO

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, sap stains and a few neck injuries were present.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99/kg - ladyfingers were sold in hands so that customers had to pull apart.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, the majority of clusters were in semi- condition (some green)
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg, organic packs at $6.00 and red tips were $5.50/kg

COLES CORINDA

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.00/kg and kids packs were the same.
Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $7.90/kg

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg
Good quality in this store of all varieties
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - however no ‘eat later’ fruit available. Fruit was generally in good condition.
Lady Fingers were at $6.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50- these were of good quality
Red tips were fully stocked, a little green and priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, presented well, quite clean
Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg and Red tips at $4.50/kg

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg, Red tips at $4.00/kg, Kids packs at $2.50

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Count 23 Hass stock priced at 99c each, packed 19th August (13 days old) - fruit supplied by DBM - Dorrian.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI OXLEY

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each, these were 18 days old
6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.

ALDI COOPAROO

Count 23 Hass supplied by Lovacado (Costa’s); stock priced at 99c each. (13-14 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Costa Hass and Simpson’s Reed Avos priced at $1.00ea - quality was generally good, thought a few pieces with bruising and sun blemish.
5 piece packs at $4.90ea

COLES CORINDA

Hass and Reed Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store at $1.00ea and also on the end of second unit together with the 5 pack display.
5 piece packs at $4.90

COLES COOPAROO

Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea displayed on a table top unit (most pieces had skin colour and a percentage were softening) and end a secondary display on the end unit as well as floor displays.
5 piece packs were priced at $4.90
Some considerable marking on loose avos

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea. Supplied by Costa’s and Simpsons - count 20’s
5 piece packs ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg at $3.90 on special
Also stocked were the Organic variety at $3.50ea and Avo Fresh Spread at $5.50

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

Count 28 Hass supplied by Simpson Farms, grown by Marrbiz priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean and presented well. A high volume of fruit was quite soft at this store.
1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at $3.50 ea while 5 piece nets were $4.50 each.

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Count 18/20 Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea, Fruit supplied by JC&SK Smythe and Simpsons (Grower - Marrbiz) .
5 piece packs ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg packs at $3.50ea on special.

August 26, 2021

Retail Market Week 34

August 26, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 14 to 20.2C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 23.2 to 30.6C. In terms of rainfall, both Innisfail and Tully have received a little more rain this week with a total of 30mm for Innisfail and 12mm for Tully across the week; whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts have both been relatively dry over the last week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm. Growth rates are steady, with not a great deal of change expected until the weather heats up and they day lengthens.

The national cut for last week was just shy of 471K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of 6.15% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 480-500K cartons. On farm we are grading out 10-15% with heavier marking to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival.

Most lines of fruit are exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good though all three Coles stores visited had a high percentage of semi-condition fruit on display. Aldi stock tended to have a higher percentage of fruit with dull bloom. Signage continued to be displayed in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week again saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 36% of the total harvest of some 453,470 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 17%; South Qld at 15%; WA at 14% and Tristate at 13%. The remaining 5% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers; North Qld and a trickle from New Zealand. This production figure represents a 7% increase on week prior and was 7% higher than what was forecast for the week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.00 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00/piece. It is hoped that with pricing reset at this piece rate that sales will enliven. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$20/tray depending upon size and quality of each line. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $1 to $5 (2nds) --$15-$25/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 430,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 430-460,000 trays per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have again contributed 14% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 63,500 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA experienced rain 4 out of the last 7 days with between 2 and 6mm per day, morning temps ranging 4.3-9.5C and daytime temps of 12.7 to 20.3C - relatively as forecast for the last week.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing and pricing in all three major supermarkets has remained at a stable $1 a piece - so we are hoping this stimulates consumer appetites for a few extra avocados in their shopping baskets this week. Whilst checking on stores this week, I overheard shoppers when at the avocado display with comments like “at a $1 each we can put a couple in the basket” which is pleasing indeed.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00-$1.10 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, whilst having developing skin colour was found to be just yielding to firm. Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets provide an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $3.99 ea and featured in their weekly catalogue; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00-$5.90 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90/bag.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit and some clusters with dull bloom.
Lady Fingers in stock at $4.99

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit being of generally good colour
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99

ALDI COOPAROO

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, around 10% of fruit was green. Minor marking; sap stains and a few neck injuries were present.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99/kg - ladyfingers were sold in hands so that customers had to pull apart.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, the majority of clusters were in semi- condition, (some quite green) there was no coloured fruit at all expcept for the kids packs and ladyfingers.
Cavendish exhibited a little bat marking, a few cuts to the skin oted and sap staining.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.50/kg

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $5.50/kg on special
Quite a lot of green fruit in this store

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg
Again a large percentage of green fruit, some minor marking and fruit yet to be unpacked

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - not much eat later fruit available. Fruit was generally in good condition.
Lady Fingers were at $6.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50- these were of good quality
Red tips were fully stocked and priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, presented well, quite clean
Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg, Red tips at $4.00/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

Count 25 Hass stock priced at 99c each, packed 12th August (13 days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $3.99ea.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each, these were 12 days old
6 piece packs Hass for $3.99ea were on offer.

ALDI COOPAROO

Count 25 Hass supplied by Lovacado (Costa’s); stock priced at 99c each. (13-14 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $3.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

Costa Hass priced at $1.00ea, displayed on second table top just inside the store and also on the end of the second unit - quality was generally good, thought a few pieces with bruising and skin marking.
5 piece packs at $4.50ea and 1kg packs at $3.50

COLES GARDEN CITY

Hass Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store at $1.00ea and also on the end of second unit together with the 5 pack display.
1kg Packs priced at $3.50 and 5 piece packs at $4.50

COLES COOPAROO

Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea displayed on a table top unit and end unit.
5 piece packs were priced at $4.50

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.00 ea. Supplied by Costa’s and Simpsons - grower’s Costas and JC & SK Smythe - count 18’s packed 14th August - fruit is 9 days old.
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.90ea and 1kg at $3.90 on special

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Hass supplied priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean and presented well.
1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at $3.90 ea

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea, Fruit supplied by Lava Valley and .
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.00ea and 1kg packs at $3.90ea on special.

August 18, 2021

Retail Market Week 33

August 18, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 13.3 to 19.9C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 23 to 27C Both Innisfail and Tully have received more rain this week with a total of 106mm for Innisfail and 82mm for Tully across the week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 4mm/day so far this week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm. Growth rates are steady, with not a great deal of change expected until the weather heats up and they day lengthens.

The national cut for last week was just shy of 502K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of 2.96% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 500-510K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking.

Most lines of fruit are exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good. Aldi stock tended to have a higher percentage of fruit with dull bloom. Signage found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50/kg and Woolworths at $4.00/kg in the stores visited this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 40% of the total harvest of some 422,996 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 15%; South Qld at 15%; WA at 14% and Tristate at 10%. The remaining 6% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers and North Qld. This production figure represents a 13% decrease on week prior and was 4% lower than what was forecast for this week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.00 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00/piece. It is hoped that with pricing reset at this piece rate that sales will enliven. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$22/tray depending upon size and quality of each line, the top of $22 is weakening and expected to be a top of $20/tray by next week. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$12 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 (2nds) --$26/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 420,000 - 430,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight increase per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have contributed 14% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 60,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been better this week with isolated showers, morning temps ranging 4.2-9.9C and daytime temps of 16.4 to 23.8C. This is a welcome change to the last few weeks in preparation for the upcoming harvest.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with the appearance of some new usage signage with simple ideas for customers.

Price in all three major supermarkets has dropped back to $1 a piece - so we are hoping this stimulates consumer appetites for a few extra avocados in their shopping baskets this week. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, whilst having developing skin colour was found to be just yielding to firm. Ideal really.

Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets provide an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.49 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.00 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $4.00ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.50/bag.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit and some clusters with dull bloom.
No Lady Fingers in stock or price displayed

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.99/kg with fruit being of generally good colour but a higher percentage of dull bloom.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - minor skin marking present, around 50% of fruit was green - some clusters very dull in appearance. Minor marking; sap stains and a little sooty mould found.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, some clusters in semi- condition.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.50/kg

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $5.50/kg on special

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER. Fruit was generally in good condition.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50- these were quite green

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, presented well, quite clean
Kids packs at $2.50/kg labelled as a special
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $2.50
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg
All varieties in this store were of good condition

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass stock priced at $1.19 each count 25 supplied by Avolution.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.49ea.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados supplied by Avolution were priced at 99c each.
6 piece packs Hass for $5.49ea were on offer.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

Count 25 Hass supplied by Avolution; stock priced at 99c each. Fruit packed 4th and 5th August (13-14 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.49ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Costa Hass Count 20’s priced at $1.00ea, quality of these was decent
5 piece packs at $5.00ea

COLES GARDEN CITY

Count 28 Simpson Farms Hass Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store at $1.00ea, packed 6th August (12 days old) and also on the front end of the second row.
1kg Packs priced at $4.00 and Organic Avocados also priced at $4.00ea however no stock on display

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Simpson Farms Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea, packed 5th & 6th August making them 12-13 days old - displayed on the end of the first unit as well as on a table top display closer to the first bank of registers.
5 piece packs were priced at $5.00 and Organic Avocados loose at $4.00ea
New meal solution promotional signage featuring Australian Hass Avos in a quick BBQ Chicken Wrap??? Hungry anyone?

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass Avocados positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. This line presented well though a few pieces were found to be quite ripe.
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.00ea, some of these had significant damage!!

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Count 23 Hass supplied by GB & VA Clark packed 5th August meaning stock is 13 days old; priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean and presented well.
5 piece nets were $5.00each, 1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at a special $3.50 ea

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Count 28 Hass Avocados supplied by Nature’s Reserve packed 5th August and Giofrelle packed 1st August with ticket price of $1.00 ea, Fruit age varied between 13 to 17 days old .
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.00ea and 1kg packs at $3.50ea on special.
Promotional usage ideas teaming Ham and Avo on side of display.

August 16, 2021

Retail Market Week 32

August 16, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 8 to 20.1C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 21 to 27.8C. The lows of 8-10.4C were mainly experienced in Innisfail and Tully who also experienced light rainfall with between 10-16mm for the week. These low temps will see a little more development of dull bloom in the weeks to come. Mareeba was relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total 28mm across the week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm. Growth rates can be best described as being steady at this stage of the season.

The national cut for last week was a little over 517K cartons. This figure represented an increase of 7.7% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 480-500K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking.

There were a few stores with low stock levels this week when we visited - this may be related to the time of the visit, perhaps stores waiting on delivery of stock. Overall colour was generally good and whilst there is a presence of dull bloom fruit, it is not excessive which relates directly to the rather mild winter we have had in North Qld to date. Signage was again found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $4.00-$4.50/kg in the stores visited this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 48% of the total harvest of some 487,057 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 14%; South Qld at 11%; WA at 10% and North Qld/Tristate with 7% each. The remaining 4% came from a combination of Sunshine Coast, Tamborine and Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a 14% increase on week prior and was 13% higher than what was forecast for this period. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.40 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit at $1.00-$1.50/piece. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$22/tray depending upon size and quality of each line, the top of $22 is weak and expected to come back next week. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$12 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 (2nds) --$26/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 440,000 - 450,000 trays and then the forecast shows a the quantity to be produced each week gradually increasing in the next three to four week period. You will note that WA have contributed 10% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 49,000 trays - this is just the start of what has been touted to be their biggest season on record. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to cause some headaches with a hail storm in the past week with an estimated loss of 4-5 pieces per tree - still not significant in relation to the overall size of the crop but with more rain and storms forecast we are ever on the alert.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing.

Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets offer an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.00 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $4.00ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90-$4.90/bag.

Price has remained relatively steady with a $0.10-$0.20 up/down piece rate movement noted this week in some stores. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $1.19ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass ticketed at $1.20-$1.30 ea; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20- $1.40each. The ripeness of fruit on shelves varied this week with some stores with a presence of ripe to overripe fruit; but the majority of displays had fruit that would be ready to eat the next or two.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg - fruit was of good condition, some with rub marking/light bruising and slight greening of necks.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.99/kg with fruit being of good colour and bloom
Lady Fingers were not on display at this store

ALDI COOPAROO

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - minor skin marking present - at least 30% if this fruit had a dull bloom.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg - fruit was of good condition, some with minor skin marking

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.50/kg and kids packs at $4.50/kg, some clusters in semi- condition.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg in an off location display and red tips were $5.50/kg displayed sitting on artificial grass which tends to cause marking of the skin.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.00/kg and kids packs were the same.
Cavendish had extremely low stock, 1 cluster + 1 finger on display at 9:40 AM, possibly waiting for a delivery?
Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg with most of these being quite backward.

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas (minor skin marking and neck creasing observed) were displayed at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER. Fruit was generally in good condition - a little light marking and sap staining observed.
Lady Fingers (with some bronzing and rub marking of skins) were at $7.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50
Red tips were also ticketed at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg - stock was displayed in the correct section, presented well, quite clean
The Eat Later section was completely bare
Kids packs at $2.50/kg
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SPRINGWOOD

Count 23 Easy 8 Orchard Hass supplied by Avolution stock priced at $1.19 each. Fruit packed 4th August (7 Days old) - nice quality fruit.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.99ea.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19ea - some pieces were quite ripe - again Easy 8 Orchard fruit supplied by Avolution.
6 piece packs Hass for $5.99ea were on offer.

ALDI COOPAROO

Count 23 Lovacado Hass supplied by Costa’s and by Simpsons - stock priced at $1.19 each. Fruit packed 31st July (11 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SPRINGWOOD

Hass Count 23’s and 25’s supplied by Simpson’s priced at $1.20ea, quality of these was somewhat mixed - some very ripe and hollow pieces.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $4.00ea - presented off location.
5 piece packs at $5.00ea - nice quality fruit within.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Hass Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store as well as displayed on the third end selling at $1.20ea
5 piece packs were selling for $5.00ea

COLES COOPAROO

Hass Avocados loose selling at $1.40ea
I’m Perfect 1kg packs were priced at $4.00 however there was no stock displayed

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD

Count 23/25 Hass Avocados positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.20 ea, packed 28th July making them 15 days old . This line presented well though a few pieces found with sun blemish and odd piece with bruising.
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.50ea

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Simpson Farms Hass priced at $1.20 each. Majority were clean, odd piece with minor skin marking.
5 piece nets were $5.50each, 1kg Odd Bunch packs were priced at $4.90 ea

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Count 18 Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.30 ea, packed 30th July making them 12 days old . This line presented well
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.50ea and 1kg packs at $3.90ea

July 30, 2021

Retail Market Week 30

July 30, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 10.5 to 17.2C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 25 to 32.8C Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully have all been relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 4-5mm/day across the week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm. Growth rates are steady, fruit is taking a little longer to fill out and we expect the bunch age to push out by a further week as the overnight/morning temps continue to drop.

The national cut for last week was a little over 419K cartons. This figure represented an increase of 7.31% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 395-420K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking.

There was a noticeable difference between lines on shelf this week at the major supermarkets - some lines with heavy bronzing on some clusters; others with a presence of bruising, light sap staining and minor skin marking. Colour was generally good. Signage found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49-$3.99/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50-$4.00/kg in the stores visited this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 52% of the total harvest of some 401,961 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 24%; South Qld at 10%; Central NSW 6% and WA at 5%. The remaining 3% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers and Tristate. This production figure represents an 6% increase on week prior and was 12% higher than what was forecast for this period. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit at $1.00/piece. Sales have slowed somewhat this week in stores - this may be due to the slight ticket price increase or due to the fact that there are still a number of locations in lockdown. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $14 -$24/tray depending upon size and quality of each line, the top of $24 is rare, the true top price being within $20-$22 for most sales. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$15 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 (2nds) --$28/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 390,000 - 400,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight increase by approximately 10-20K per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have contributed 5% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 20,000 trays - this is just the start of what has been touted to be their biggest season on record. The weather in the south west corner of WA has not been great over the past month with rain experience on 27 of the last 30 days; bouts of really cold; strong winds and the odd storm thrown in are certainly giving growers a few headaches. At this stage however, we are pleased to inform that damage has been minimal to our supply base in this region. Weather forecasts for the next couple of months, if this can be believed, is for more of the same so we will have to keep an eye on things and provide an update if anything should change.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. The humble Hass avocado is the star attraction as it appears that the Gmax has completed its season.

Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets offer an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.90 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90/bag.

Price has moved up marginally this week in some stores. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $1.19ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass ticketed at $1.20-$1.50 ea; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20 each. The majority of fruit on shelves is firm, with a low level of fruit that can be selected to eat that day or the next.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg - fruit was of very good condition but presented in hands which customers need to pull apart.

ALDI DREWVALE

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with colour and bloom of fruit being good
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99 - some clusters were slightly green and had rub marking.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, some clusters in semi- condition.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.00/kg

COLES UPPER COOMERA

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Red tips at $5.00/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg with some marking

COLES GREENSLOPES

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg as were kids packs - some light bronzing an minor skin marking observed. Good display of kids cluster packs.
Lady Fingers were available at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg

COLES WESTFIELD COOMERA

Cavendish were well stocked and in good condition at $4.50/kg - a little light rub marking but bloom and colour were attractive. There was a small section of the display that appeared to be carry over fruit from the previous day’s trade that was more heavily marked on the front side of the banana barge.
Noted that the banana display was positioned at the rear of the produce department opposite deli line refrigeration which gives off cold air which may impact fruit.
Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and kids packs at $4.50/kg. The Red tips had a dull appearance and were more heavily marked.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - the eat later had definitely been better shopped. Fruit was generally in good condition apart from a couple of clusters with some rub marking, wet scars and some light sap stains.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50- no stock of either of these varieties on display
Red tips were also ticketed at $5.00/kg but again no stock. Display in urgent need of a refill.

WOOLWORTHS OXENFORD

Cavendish at this store (stand alone store) were priced at $3.50/kg - stock was displayed in the correct section, presented well, quite clean - some minor skin marking found.
Red Tips were priced at $5.00/kg; Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg; whilst kids packs were at $2.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg. Not sure if the loose Organics should be displayed side-by-side with the non-organic fruit??

WOOLWORTHS GREENSLOPES

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg, the majority on show were in the Eat Now category section
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - a number with superficial bruising, rub and a little bronzing.
Kids packs were priced at $3.50./kg and red tips were at $5.00/kg

WOOLWORTHS WESTFIELD COOMERA

Cavendish bananas were priced at $3.50/kg, both the Eat Now and Eat Later fruit were well stocked - sap stains were found on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and kids packs were at $2.50

INDEPENDENT STORE - COOMERA

$2.99 NQ Cavendish Bananas - all with good colour and bloom but fairly clean. Light neck creases and rub marking seen.
$4.99 Lady Fingers with some heavier bronzing and rub. Supplied by DBM.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

Count 23 Purple Skins Hass stock priced at $1.19 each. Fruit packed 16th July (12 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.49ea.

ALDI DREWVALE

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19ea - Purpleskin + Simpsons- some pieces were quite ripe and a few with skin marking.
6 piece packs Hass for $5.49ea were on offer.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Hass Count 23’s and 25’s selling on a table top display and an end display from 3 suppliers (Costa (Lava Valley) and Dorian through DBM) priced at $1.20ea, quality of these was somewhat mixed, though a few found with nodule damage - majority of fruit was firm.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90
5 piece packs at $5.90ea

COLES UPPER COOMERA

Hass Avocados loose ( a high percentage of which were supplied by Purpleskins) on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store as well as displayed on the third end selling at $1.20ea with bananas positioned on the barge unit further down within the department.
5 piece packs were selling for $5.90ea and 1kg packs were priced at $3.90

COLES GREENSLOPES

Count 23 and 25 Hass were priced at $1.00ea displayed on an end unit - a few pieces with rub/nodule damage. Fruit supplied by Simpsons included their own fruit plus Green Nugget from Blackbutt. Fruit was of good quality. Also two trays of Gmax on display at this store selling at $2ea.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90; 5 piece packs at $4.90.

COLES WESTFIELD COOMERA

Count 25/28 Hass Avocados supplied by Simpson’s; Dorian and Golden Triangle were priced at $1.20ea - fruit packed between 16th to 20th July meaning they were 8 to 12 days old.
5 packs at $5.90 and 1kg packs at $3.90 at this store.
Some fruit was of lower quality- bruising and rots present - appeared to be carryover fruit from previous days sale ie Purpleskin.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Count 20/25 Hass Avocados positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.50 ea, packed 14th and 20th July making them 8-14 days old . This line presented well though a few pieces found with nodule damage and odd piece with bruising. Suppliers were Simpsons and Googa Farms.
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.90ea and 1kg Odd Bunch at $4.90 ea

WOOLWORTHS OXENFORD

Count 28 Tinaroo Falls fruit and Simpson Hass (packed 21st July, so 7 days old) priced at $1.30 each. Also some Sunny Bluff and Green Nugget fruit featured. Majority were clean, odd piece with minor skin marking.
5 piece nets were $5.90each, 1kg Odd Bunch packs were priced at $4.00 ea
Organic Avos were priced at $2.90, this store also had Avo Fresh Spread at $5.50

WOOLWORTHS GREENSLOPES

Count 20 Hass from Googa Farms and Simpsons presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.50 ea.
Five piece nets supplied by Simpsons selling at $4.90ea whilst the 1kg Odd Bunch nets were ticketed at $3.90ea.

WOOLWORTHS WESTFIELD COOMERA

Simpson Farms Hass Avocados were priced at $1.20 - a mix of maturity on offer.
5 piece packs were priced at $5.90 - a few packs were well coloured and soft with BB 29/07/21,

INDEPENDENT STORE - Westfield Coomera outside Coles

Count 18 Hass Avocados priced at $1.00ea, minimal marking/damage - little ridging noted - class one fruit - good mix of maturity on offer for customer selection.

July 22, 2021

Retail Market Week 29

July 22, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures varied greatly but we have had our first morning field temp of 10C or just below (9.5C) which is renowned for being at what point we will start to see a wider impact of underpeel discoloration or greying of the sub dermal layers of the banana skin which reflects as an outward dull colour. Morning temps across the major growing regions in North Qld have ranged 9.5-20C whilst day time temperatures have ranged 24.8 to 31.6C Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully have all been relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 30mm across the week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm.

The national cut for last week was a little over 390K cartons. This figure represented a slight decrease of 1.1% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 390-410K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland revealed Aldi leading the way on price, this may have been in response to local independent operators offering fruit at similiar price points. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $2.99/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50-$4.00/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week we finally saw Central Qld taking the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 57% of the total harvest of some 378,624 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 23%; South Qld at 8%; Sunshine Coast, Northern Rivers and Tristate supplied a combined 8% and the remaining 4% came from Tamborine and Norther Rivers. This production figure represents an 11% decrease on week prior and as 11% increase on what was forecast for this period. This decrease in production has been followed by a slight tightening of pricing with most premium sizes up $1-$2 per tray. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.30 per piece, and whilst this continues to represent exceptional value, most have noticed a slight decline in sales. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$20/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$12 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$30/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be considerably lighter in the vicinity of 350,000 - 365,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight decrease by approximately 10K per week for the next three weeks thereafter so pricing may firm up further depending upon customer purchase patterns and demand.

Price has continued to be the driving factor whilst volumes are high. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $1.19ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.20-$1.30 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20 ea whilst similarly selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg - mixed condition with some bruising, sooty mould, neck injuries and mixed colour on display, around 40% semi condition.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg - some bronzing between fingers and powder residue evident.

ALDI TOOMBUL

Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with condition of fruit including some minor scarring and light sap stains observed, but fruit bloom was good.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99, these were of good condition and colour

ALDI CARINDALE

Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with colour and bloom of fruit being good
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99 - some clusters were slightly green and had rub marking.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, some clusters with minor scarring.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.00/kg

COLES TOOMBUL

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same. Cavendish with some minor neck creasing, some bronzing and rub marking found. A plentiful display of kids cluster packs present.
Red tips at $5.00/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg with decent bloom
‘Winter Banana Update’ signage featured

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg as were kids packs - some light bronzing an minor skin marking observed. Good display of kids cluster packs.
Lady Fingers were available at $6.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- a neat continuous display featuring fruit ready to eat and a section of eat later with bright new shelf stripping to identify this - fruit was generally in good condition apart from a couple of clusters with bronzing between fingers. Unfortunately some of the eat later stock was displayed in the Eat Now area.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking/scarring and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50.
Red tips were also on display for $5.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS NUNDAH VILLAGE

Cavendish at this store (stand alone store) were priced at $4.00/kg - stock appeared to be fairly uniform though a few clusters were of dull appearance - some minor skin marking found, rub and severe bruising.
Red Tips were priced at $5.00/kg; Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg; whilst kids packs were at $2.50/kg. Organic clusters were ticketed at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg, the majority on show were in the Eat Now category section
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - a number with superficial bruising, rub and a little bronzing.
Kids packs were priced at $2.50./kg and red tips were at $5.00/kg

INDEPENDENT STORE - TOOMBUL

$1.49 NQ Cavendish Bananas - appeared to be carry over stock from previous day with colour, whilst neatly stacked end display were selling at $2.99/kg all in semi condition but fairly clean.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 23 Green Skins Hass stock priced at $1.19 each. Fruit packed 8th July (13 Days old)
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI TOOMBUL

Hass were featured - one display of Count 23 Costa/Simpson Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19ea . Costa stock packed 6th July making fruit 15 days old.

6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer

ALDI CARINDALE

Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19ea - Purpleskin- some pieces were quite ripe and a few with skin marking.
6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Hass Count 23’s and 25’s selling on a table top display and an end display from 3 suppliers (Costa (Lava Valley packed 11th July so 10 days old) and Dorian through DBM) priced at $1.20ea, quality of these was somewhat mixed, though a few found with nodule damage - majority of fruit was very firm.
Coles 5 Packs were ticketed at $4.90ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90
Greenskin GMAX selling at $2 ea.

COLES TOOMBUL

Hass Avocados loose ( a high percentage of which were supplied by Purpleskins) on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store as well as displayed on the third end selling at $1.20ea with bananas positioned on the barge unit further down within the department.
GMAX Avos were selling at $2 a piece
5 piece packs were selling for $4.90ea - three different suppliers.

COLES CARINDALE

Count 23 and 25 Hass were priced at $1.20ea displayed on a table top as well as on the end of the third unit - a few piees with rub/nodule damage.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90;
GMAX at $2 ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Count 23 Hass Avocados positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.20 ea, packed 7th July making them 14 days old . This line presented well though a few pieces found with nodule damage and odd piece with bruising. GMAX Avocados were ticketed at $2.00
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.90ea and 1kg Odd Bunch on special at $3.90 ea

WOOLWORTHS NUNDAH VILLAGE

Count 20 Tinaroo Falls fruit and Simpson Hass priced at $1.30 each. Majority were clean, odd piece with minor skin marking some sun bleaching, about 10% of display was quite ripe; otherwise fruit was firm.
5 piece nets were $5.90each, 1kg packs were priced at $3.90

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Count 20 Hass from Googa Farms and Simpsons presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.30 ea. Majority of fruit had skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure.
Five piece nets supplied by Simpsons selling at $5.90ea whilst the 1kg Odd Bunch nets were ticketed at $3.90ea.

INDEPENDENT STORE - TOOMBUL

Hass Avocados priced at 2 for $4.00, minimal marking/damage, quite firm

July 15, 2021

Retail Market Week 28

July 15, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has been a touch cooler with early morning temperatures ranging 14.6-20.5C whilst day time temperatures have ranged 21.5 to 28C Mareeba has been relatively dry; whilst Tully and Innisfail experienced heavier rainfalls late last week in the vicinity of 50-78mm respectively but drier since and Walkamin districts have experienced daily showers of 3-4mm - the rain is helping keep it a little warmer. Colder temperatures are forecast for late July, early August which is when we may see a heavier presence of underpeel chill. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm.

The national cut for last week was approximately 5.4% lower than the previous week at a total of 395K cartons. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 390-410K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10% with heavier marking.

There was a noticeable difference between lines on shelf this week at the major supermarkets - some lines with heavy bronzing on some clusters; others with a presence of light sooty mould and minor bruising. Colour was generally good. Signage found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland was fairly uniform with cavendish retail tickets fundamentally at $3.50/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week North Qld again supplied the majority of avocado production accounting for 52% of the total harvest of some 423,281 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 39%; and the remaining 8% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast, Tamborine, Northern Rivers and Tristate made a start. This production figure represents a 23% increase on week prior and also a 7% increase on what was forecast for this period. Despite the national production increasing for last week, the markets remain relatively tidy with a slight tightening of pricing. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.20 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective continues to represent exceptional value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $11 -$18/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$28/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be considerably lighter in the vicinity of 340,000 - 350,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight decline each week for the next three weeks thereafter so pricing may firm up a little more.

Presentation in Qld stores this week varied. The humble Hass avocado is still the main attraction though both Coles and Woolworths have continued with having presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What continues to be missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - the majority of fruit continues to be firm and will still require another 2 to 3 days before it is ready to enjoy which in some cases will equate to lost sales opportunities, especially for the new category purchaser, who may be tempted by the current low prices.

Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets offer an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $5.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.90 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90/bag.

Price has continued to be the driving factor whilst volumes are high. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea featuring in their catalogue this week as a full page feature; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.00 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1 ea whilst similarly selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - mixed condition with some bruising, sooty mould, neck injuries and mixed colour on display, around 40% green.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish were priced at $3.49 with condition of fruit including some minor scarring, but fruit bloom was good.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99 - a number of pairs were highly marked.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with colour and bloom of fruit being good though a number of clusters with heavy bronzing, speckling; light bat/bird scratching found.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99 - some clusters were dull and had rub marking.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FOREST LAKE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg (one only pack on display). Approximately 20% of the display of loose cavendish were semi-coloured but randomly mixed through display, some clusters exhibiting sooty mould, bronzing and minor scarring.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.00/kg
This store also had Organic packs overwrap trays for $3.00

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same. Loose cavendish exhibited quite varied sizing - a few clusters with small skin scars.
Red tips at $5.00/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg with quite significant marking on majority of fruit

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.50 as were kids packs - sooty mould and bronzing quite prominent on coloured fruit.
Lady Fingers were available at $6.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg which were marked.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- a neat continuous display featuring fruit ready to eat and a section of eat later with bright new shelf stripping to identify this - fruit was generally in good condition apart from a couple of clusters with bronzing between fingers. Also found a couple of fingers that had splits.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50.
Red tips were also on display for $5.50

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - stock appeared to be fairly uniform though a few clusters were of dull appearance - some minor skin marking found.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst kids packs were at $4.50/kg

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg, the majority on show were in the Eat Now category section
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - a number with superficial bruising, rub and a little bronzing.
Kids packs were priced at $3.50./kg and red tips were at $5.50/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Count 23 Hass supplied by Dorian by Deluca Banana Marketing and Count 25 Hass supplied by Costa’s stock priced at 99c each - some nodule damage and rub evident. Fruit packed 30th June (14days old) and 8th July (6 days old).
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $3.79ea.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass were featured - one display of Purpleskin Hass Avocados were priced at 99c

6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Hass were on display- count 20 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c - Purpleskin- some pieces were quite ripe and a few with skin marking.
6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.
Avocados featured in this weeks store catalogue as a point of interest.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES FOREST LAKE

Hass Count 20’s selling on a table top display and an end display from 3 suppliers (Rockridge; Costa and Simpsons) priced at $1.00ea, quality of these was somewhat mixed, though a few found with nodule damage, sun bleaching and mixed maturity.
Coles 5 Packs were ticketed at $4.90ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $5.50
Greenskin GMAX count 18 packed 30th June so 14 days old selling at $2 ea.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass Avocados count 20’s from Simpsons selling at $1.00ea- 6 days old
Loose GMAX Avos were selling at $2 a piece and positioned alongside 5 Pack and Hass on the end of the second row.
5 piece packs were selling for $4.90ea

COLES MT OMMANEY

Count 23 and 25 Hass were priced at $1.00ea displayed on a table top display fifth from entry aligning the front of the store as well as on the end of the third unit. Fruit supplied by Simpson Farms own farms as well as GB and VA Clark from Blackbutt. 5 packs were at $4.90; 1kg packs at $5.50; GMAX at $2 ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Count 20 Hass Avocados supplied by Murray Brothers and Simpson Farms Tinaroo Falls positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. This line presented well though a few pieces found with nodule damage and odd piece with bruising. GMAX Avocados were ticketed at $2.00 count 14 packed 29th June so 15 days old.
5 piece packs ticketed at $4.90ea and 1kg Odd Bunch on special at $3.90 ea but only two packs on display. Organic Hass selling at $2.90 each, these presented well.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean, odd piece with minor skin marking, about 10% starting to ripen; otherwise fruit was firm.
5 piece nets were $4.90each

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Simpson Farms Tinaroo Falls fruit as well as Lava Avocaods count 20 presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. Count 14 GMAX fruit packed 29th June priced at $2.00ea displayed alongside the Hass.
Five piece nets supplied by Simpsons selling at $4.90ea whilst the 1kg Odd Bunch nets were ticketed at $3.90ea.

July 01, 2021

Retail Market Week 26

July 01, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week had been relatively dry until Wednesday and Thursday which has seen 140 to 190mm fall across the two days around Innisfail and Tully whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts have experienced just 1-3mm on a daily basis. The temperature range for this last week was a touch warmer with early temps experienced ranging 14.6 to 21.1C across the region; whilst daytime temperatures ranged between 23 to 27.1C. There has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week as the weather has been milder.

The national cut for last week was approximately 5% higher than the previous week at a total of 408K cartons, so supply can be said to be relatively steady by way of comparison. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 390-410K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10% with heavier marking. We are still harvesting fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age.

Quality on shelf this week showed a degree of improvement with less minor skin marking overall, colour was generally good (some stores with too much of the semi-colour or “Eat Later” rather than the eat now on offer) though starting to see the presence of some dull bloom clusters throughout. Signage found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the continued shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still at or above $4/kg though Aldi had pulled back their price point. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg; whilst Coles had pulled back their ticket price to $4.00 - $4.50/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week North Qld again supplied the majority of avocado production accounting for 53% of the total harvest of some 421,358 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 43%; and the remaining 4% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast, Tamborine and Northern Rivers made a start. This production figure represents a 6% increase on week prior and also an 11% increase on what was forecast for this period. As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.20 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective continues represents astounding value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $11 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $4 --$7 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$20/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370,000 - 380,000 trays and then is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370-390K/week in the following fortnight.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was somewhat mixed both in terms of quality and stock availability with Brisbane and Townsville entering lockdown from 6pm Tuesday 28th June for three days. The humble Hass avocado is still the main attraction though both Coles and Woolworths have continued with having presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What continues to be missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - the majority of fruit continues to be firm and will still require another 2 to 3 days before it is ready to enjoy which in some cases will equate to lost sales opportunities, especially for the new category purchaser, who may be tempted by the current low prices.

This week we again saw activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $5.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90/bag.

Price has continued to be the driving factor whilst volumes are high. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.00 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1 ea meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - a degree of green fruit, but overall in good condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish were priced at $3.49 with condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99

ALDI COOPAROO

Cavendish were priced at $3.49 with colour and bloom of fruit being good though a number of clusters with heavy bronzing and speckling found.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99 - some clusters were dull and had rub marking.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg. Approximately 50% of the display of loose cavendish were coloured, the remaining 50% quite green - some fruit had skin marks.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg, these were needing a refill also

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.00/kg and kids packs were the same. Loose cavendish exhibited quite a number of minor defects with neck creasing, sap staining and small bat marking scars the most prolific. Some clusters were of dull appearance.
Lady Fingers were available at $6.90/kg (with a lot of rub marking), Red tips at $5.00/kg both lines were displayed in a metal tub in several layers which may be contributing to the skin marking observed.
Old promotional signage “Supporting little athletes with a 10c/kg donation on bananas” still on display - promo occurred on 1st May 2021.

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish were priced at $4.50 as were kids packs, however both were extremely low in stock (perhaps due to the recent lockdown) Stock found on trolley awaiting to be put onto shelves.
Lady Fingers were available at $6.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg which were either backward in condition or marked.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg- a neat continuous display featuring fruit ready to eat and some to eat later with bright new shelf stripping to identify this - fruit was generally in good condition apart from a couple of clusters with bronzing between fingers.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50.

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg - stock appeared to be fairly uniform though a few clusters were of dull appearance - some minor skin marking found.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Red Tips priced at $5.50/kg; kids packs were priced at $2.50 and organic clusters also were ticketed at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish were priced at $4.00/kg, the majority on show were in the Eat Later category section - riper bananas needed refilling.
Kids packs were priced at $2.50./kg and red tips were at $5.50/kg - Red Tips were on also Eat Later.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 23 Purpleskin Hass stock priced at 99c each - some nodule damage and rub evident.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

Hass were featured - one display of count 23 Purpleskin Hass Avocados were priced at 99c - fruit packed 22nd June meaning they were just 7 six days old and very firm.

6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer - a few packs on top of the display were quite ripe, carry over stock.

ALDI COOPAROO

Hass were on display- count 20 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c - Dorian fruit supplied by Deluca Banana Marketing - some pieces were quite ripe and a few with skin marking.
6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.
Avocados featured in this weeks store catalogue as a point of interest.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass Count 23’s selling on end display from 3 suppliers priced at $1.00ea, quality of these was somewhat mixed, though a few found with nodule damage, sun bleaching and mixed maturity.
Coles 5 Packs were ticketed at $4.90ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $5.50
Greenskin GMAX avos selling at $2 ea.

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Hass Avocados count 25’s selling at $1.00ea on second row end display - single layer all in trays as well as a secondary display on a table top unit at end of produce department prior to registers which had fruit in double layers - fruit supplied by Costas, Simpsons and Deluca Banana Marketing packed 18th to 22nd June thereby 7 to 11 days old - Costa fruit with a presence of rub marking.
Loose GMAX Avos packed 17th June, thereby 12 days old, were selling at $2 a piece and positioned alongside 5 Pack and Hass on the end of the second row. These presented cleanly.
5 piece packs were selling for $4.50ea and 1kg I’m Perfects bags ticketed at $5.50ea.

COLES COOPAROO

This store had relatively low stock across all fruit - empty displays and what was present was of average quality.
Hass were priced at $1.00ea with some bruising, and 5 packs were at $4.50; GMAX at $2 ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Hass Avocados from grower Zebra Avos positioned on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. This line presented well.
5 piece packs ticketed at $5.00ea

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Poggoli Ct 23 Hass packed 21st June so stock is 8 days old priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean, odd piece ripened otherwise fruit was firm.
1kg Odd Bunch packs on special for $3.90 with a spillover floor display positioned next to the loose hass.
5 piece nets were $5.00each

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Great display of Tinaroo Falls Count 20 fruit packed 18th June (11 days old) presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. Count 18 GMAX fruit packed 10th June priced at $2.00ea displayed on the alternative side (rear of unit) .

1kg Odd Bunch packs at a special $3.90/net and 5 piece nets available for $5.00ea.

June 18, 2021

Retail Market Week 24

June 18, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen a few drizzles of rain around Innisfail and Tully with falls of 8-12 mm across the week with dry weather experienced around Innisfail and Walkamin. The temperature range for this last week was a touch warmer with almost a 10C difference between the coolest and warmest early temps experienced ranging 12 to 21.5C throughout these regions and daytime temperature ranges of 22.1 to 29.6C. There has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week as the weather has been milder.

The national cut for last week was 1.13% higher than the previous week at 363K cartons so supply is again still a little tight. It is expected to be similar next week, within a range of 360-380K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking. We are continuing to harvest fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age and are also continuing to packing out approximately 10-12% of our crop as large fruit (200-220mm) currently.

Quality on shelf this week showed a degree of improvement with less minor skin marking overall, colour was generally good and bloom overall generally still bright though it won’t be long until the fruit is showing the effects of our cooler winter growing conditions.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still at or above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg; whilst Coles had pulled back their ticket price to $4.00/kg in the stores visited in Qld and NSW this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week North Qld again supplied the majority of avocado production accounting for 53% of the total harvest of some 415,925 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 45%; and the remaining 2% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast and Tristate made a start. This production figure represents a 3% increase on week prior and also a 9% increase on what was forecast for this period. As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.20 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective continues represents astounding value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$25/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 353,000 - 360,000 trays and then is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370-380K/week in the following fortnight.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was somewhat mixed in terms of quality; whilst there is a strong focus on the Hass variety as the main display, there was a continued presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors and in most instances the Gmax was at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What is missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - majority of fruit is firm and will still require another 2 to 3 days before it is ready to enjoy which in some cases will equate to lost sales opportunities, especially for the new category purchaser, who may be tempted by price; but do not know enough about the fruit.

This week we saw more activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50-$4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $4.90 to $5.50/bag. Despite very keen pricing on most of these lines, there were a lot of packs marked down suggesting customers were opting for the larger loose options.

Price has continued to be the driving factor whilst volumes are high. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass back at $0.99ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.20 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had a multi buy deal of 3/$3.00 or a piece price of $1.20ea meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Screen Shot 2021-06-16 at 10.40.54 pm.png — Courtesy of Avocados Australia

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, but overall in good condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI CHERMSIDE

Cavendish were priced at $4.49 with condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg and Lil Snakcers packs were priced at $3.99

ALDI MIRANDA NSW

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - relatively clean display - some minor neck damage, bat scars and rub marking visible.
Lil Snackerz tape banded clusters were priced at $3.99 for 750g exhibited with minor rub marking, neck damage and were semi condition at best.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg. Approximately 50% of the display of loose cavendish were coloured, the remaining 50% quite green - fruit had a few minor skin marks, but showed improvement on recent weeks. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and some were dull and backward.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg. Red tips were on display for $5.00/kg - these too were also backward and some clusters with scarring and bronzing.

COLES CHERMSIDE

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.00/kg and kids packs were the same. Loose cavendish exhibited quite a number of minor defects with neck creasing, sap staining and small bat marking scars the most prolific. Some clusters were of dull appearance.
Lady Fingers were available at $7.90/kg (a few with sap stains and some sooty mould), Kids packs at $4.00/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg

COLES MIRANDA NSW

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg with kids packs priced the same - odd cluster with minor neck creasing and a little rub marking. Kids banded clusters were neatly presented.
The majority of the Cavendish display had good colour and bright bloom
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- a neat continuous display featuring fruit ready to eat and some to eat later with bright new shelf stripping to identify this - fruit was generally in good condition.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking
Organic variety were priced at $5.90/kg, and Red tips were priced at $5.50/kg - these were found to have quite a presence of sap stains and many clusters were of dull appearance.

WOOLWORTHS CHERMSIDE

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg - stock appeared to be older, dull in bloom, a number of clusters with early stage crown end mould developing, scarring, neck damage and bruising also evident.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - some clusters with rub marking. Whilst Red Tips priced at $5.50/kg were dull with sooty mould and sap stains.

WOOLWORTHS MIRANDA NSW

Cavendish were priced at $4.90/kg - Leahys Bananas. Fruit very well presented - new shelf strips in place - A mix of colour and semi-condition in the appropriate area of the display.
Red tips were of good condition- some green and were priced at $5.50 as were Organic variety

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 25 Purpleskin Hass stock packed 8th June (8 days old) - stock all yielding to gentle pressue priced at 99c each and Count 18 Greenskin Gmax Avos Packed 2nd June (14 days old) stock presented in tray priced at 99c each.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI CHERMSIDE

Hass were featured in two locations - one display of 25 Ferraro Hass Avocados packed 2nd June (14 days old) supplied by Freshmax were priced at 99c and a secondary display also count 25 by a Costa grower packed 1st and 2nd June.
Greenskins GMAX Avos count 20 packed 1st June (15 days old) - odd piece with some rub marking and lenticel also selling for $0.99 a piece.

6 piece packs Hass for $5.99ea were on offer - a few packs on top of the display were quite ripe, carry over stock.

ALDI MIRANDA NSW

Count 25 Simpson Hass (exhibiting some nodule damage) priced at 99c each.
Prepack of 6 Hass were ticketed at $4.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Simpson; Purpleskin and Dorrian Ct 25 Hass selling on a table top display priced at $1.20ea or multi deal offer of 3/$3.00, quality of these was somewhat mixed, though a few found with nodule damage, sun bleaching and mixed maturity. Packed date of 2nd June - therefore fruit is 14 days old. Stock displayed along entry to store.
Coles 5 Packs were ticketed at $4.50ea - but sadly no stock.
Greenskin GMAX avos selling at $2 ea.

COLES CHERMSIDE

Hass Avocados selling at $1.20ea or 3 for $3.00 (smaller display) - single to double layer table top display - Ferraro fruit supplied by Freshmax - some pieces with heavy rub and nodule damage. Loose GMAX Avos were selling at $2 a piece.
5 piece packs were selling for $4.50 and the 1kg I’m Perfect packs ticketed at $3.90ea.

COLES MIRANDA NSW

Neatly stacked display on entry to store with Hass on offer at $1.20/piece or multi buy offer 3 for $3.00 - a mix of Serra Farming fruit supplied by Mackays packed 2nd June (14 days old) and Costa Supplied Ct 20 Hass - a little nodule damage present and the odd piece with some major damage observed.
Coles 5 packs ticketed at $4.90ea .

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Count 16 Purpleskin fruit packed 3rd June (13 days old) presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.20 ea. Count 18 GMAX fruit packed 27th May (20 days old) was priced at $2.00ea . A presence of rub and lenticel damage found throughout most trays of the GMAX. A few of the GMAX found with very elongated necks.

WOOLWORTHS CHERMSIDE

Ct 16 Purpleskin packed 26th May so stock is 19 days old priced at $1.20 each. A degree of nodule damage and bruising visible
5 piece packs were at $5.00 supplied by Simpson Farms and 1kg packs on special for $4.90

WOOLWORTHS MIRANDA

Donovan Avocados Hass priced at $1.40ea and Gmax avocados priced at $1.40ea The majority of fruit was firm.
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $4.90, Simpson supplied 5 packs ticketed at $5.00ea.

June 14, 2021

Retail Market Week 23

June 14, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen a few drizzles of rain ranging from a few mills per day to 4-8mm particularly around Innisfail and Walkamin, less in the Tully region and relatively dry throughout Mareeba. The temperature range has also continued to cool with morning temperatures ranging 14 to 19.3C in all regions and daytime temperature ranges of 22.1 to 28.9C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out as fruit takes a little longer to form and reach maturity. When field temperatures drop below 10C is when we normally start seeing underpeel discolouration which results in fruit appearing somewhat dull - this is as a result of temporary sap flow cessation in the colder growing conditions.

The national cut for last week was 10% lower than the previous week at just 359K cartons so supply is again slightly under pressure. It is expected to be similar next week, within a range of 360-380K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks - we are now harvesting fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age. We know when we are packing out more large fruit (200-220mm) that winter is upon us - we are packing somewhere close to 10% of our crop as large currently.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still all above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles also offering fruit at $4.50 to $4.90/kg at the stores visited this week.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week we saw North Qld return to leading avocado production accounting for 51% of the total harvest of some 403,392 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 47%; and the remaining 2% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This production figure represents a 9% increase on week prior and also a 9% increase on what was forecast for this period. As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.29 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective represents astounding value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$30/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 360,000 - 370,000 trays and then is forecast to be in the vicinity of 340K/week in the following fortnight.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was somewhat mixed in terms of quality; whilst there is a strong focus on the Hass variety as the main display, there was a continued presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors and in most instances the Gmax was at a higher ticket price than the Hass. A degree of nodule damage/rub present on a number of lines. What is missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - majority of fruit is firm and will still require another 2 to 3 days before it is ready to enjoy which in some cases will equate to lost sales opportunities, especially for the new category purchaser, who may be tempted by price but do not know enough about the fruit.

This week we saw more activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $6.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $5.50/bag.

Price has continued to be the driving factor! In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass at $1.29ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.o0 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld continued their Hass promo at $1 per piece meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

Avocados Australia are continuing their marketing campaign with the airing of “Our Green Gold” television commercials through until the end of June which are being supported by social media, digital advertising and public relations activity. Keep a look out for anything Green and Gold that avocados could declare governance over or at least be associated with!

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, but overall in good condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI FAIRFIELD

Cavendish were priced at $4.49 with condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg and Lil Snakcers packs were priced at $3.99

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - relatively clean display - some minor neck damage, bat scars and rub marking visible.
Lady Fingers were price at $6.99 with minor rub marking and scarring.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.90/kg and kids packs at $4.90/kg. The loose cavendish were definitely of better quality than what has been on shelf recently. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and some were dull and backward. Organic Bananas were presented on fibreboard trays and overwrapped with clingwrap - ticketed at $6/kg.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg- minimal fingers on display. Red tips were on display for $5.00/kg

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg, Kids packs at $4.50 and Red tips at $5.00/kg

COLES FOREST LAKE

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg with kids packs priced the same - again a presence of neck damage and a little bat marking
The majority of the Cavendish display had good colour and bloom
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- a few clusters will dull bloom and minor skin scarring; some odd clusters with heavy sap staining and heavy speckling.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking
Organic variety were priced at $5.90, these were of good quality and Red tips were priced at $5.50, but no stock

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg - Note the new shelf strips that draw customers attention to “ready to eat” and “Eat Later” options. Display was in need of a refill at the time of our visit.
On the cavendish display, approx 50% coloured and 50% semi colour condition, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Lil Sana clusters were at $2.50/kg however there was only minimal stock.

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg. Fruit very well presented - new shelf strips in place - display just inside store entry to the left - when facing customer is looking out of the store. A mix of colour and semi-condition in the appropriate area of the display.
Lady Fingers were clean skinned and had good colour with a ticket price of $7.90/kg - odd cluster with minor marking.
Red tips were of good condition and were priced at $5.50 as were Organic variety

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Purpleskin Hass stock - stock quite ripe and a few pieces heavily marked priced at 99c each and Greenskin Gmax Avos stock presented in tray priced at $1.29c each.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.99ea.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

Hass were featured in two locations - one display of 25 Ferraro Hass Avocados supplied by Freshmax were priced at $1.29c and a secondary display also count 25 by a Costa grower. Hass packed 18th May meaning stock is 22 days old.

6 piece packs Hass for $5.99ea were on offer - a few packs on top of the display were quite ripe, carry over stock.

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Count 25 Purpleskin Hass (exhibiting some nodule damage) priced at $1.29c each and Count 20 Greenskins GMax were priced at $1.29. Prepack of 6 Hass were ticketed at $5.99ea.
The majority of fruit was very firm.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Jampi Park (Tomasetig) Hass Ct 23 selling on a table top display priced at $1.00ea, quality of these were generally good, though a few found with nodule damage.
Coles 5 Packs were on display for $5.50ea

COLES FAIRFIELD

Greenskin Gmax Avocados selling at $2.00ea (smaller display) whilst loose Hass (some of which were Ferraro’s - a few of this line had heavier skin marking and some soft spots developing) selling at $1 a piece.
5 piece packs were selling for $5.50 and the 1kg I’m Perfect packs ticketed at $6.90ea.

COLES FOREST LAKE

Neatly stacked table top display on entry to store with Hass on offer at $1/piece - a mix of Kureen Farming Ct 28 Hass packed 20th May - fruit 20 days old presenting cleanly and Simpsons Ct 25 Hass packed 26th May so 14 days old but with a heavier nodule damage and skin scars on this line. A secondary display on the end of unit three had a presence of Hass; Greenskin Gmax Avocados at $2 ea and Coles 5 Pack Hass at $5.50 ea.
Coles 5 packs ticketed at $5.50ea - stock from three different suppliers and 1kg Im Perfect packs ticketed at $6.90ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Simpson Farms fruit presented on the display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $1.00 ea. A presence of rub and nodule damage found throughout most trays.
5 piece Avocado Nets on special at $6.50ea and 1kg at $5.50

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Ct 20 Hass from Simpson Farms (Tinaroo) packed 25th May so stock is 15 days old priced at $1.00 each. A degree of nodule damage and bruising visible on the Tinaroo fruit.
5 piece packs were at $6.50 supplied by Simpson Farms and 1kg packs on special for $5.50 (a number have been marked down suggesting slower sales on this line whilst loose fruit is so cheap)

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Purpleskin Hass Ct 20 packed 19th May (21 days old) priced at $1.00ea and Greenskin Gmax avocados priced at $2.00ea (Ct 14 packed 25th May therefore 14 days old). The majority of fruit was firm. A presence of nodule damage and rub on the Hass whilst the Gmax avos with evidence of some lenticel damage.
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $5.50, Simpson supplied 5 packs ticketed at $6.50ea.

June 03, 2021

Retail Market Week 22

June 03, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen more rain fall across all North Qld growing regions from last Monday to this Thursday - the heaviest falls across this day range include 75mm around Tully; 64mm Innisfail; 43 mm Mareeba and between 2-5mm/day at Walkamin. The temperature range has also continued to cool with morning temperatures ranging 12.5 to 19.1C and daytime temperature ranges of 22.0 to 25.9C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out as fruit takes a little longer to form and reach maturity. When field temperatures drop below 10C is when we normally start seeing underpeel discolouration which results in fruit appearing somewhat dull - this is as a result of temporary sap flow cessation in the colder growing conditions.

The national cut for last week was just shy of 400K cartons so supply is relatively steady. It is expected to be similar next week within a range of 390-420K cartons. Our harvesting team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are currently seeing in the vicinity of 10-15% with heavier marking being graded out. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks - we are now harvesting fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age. We know when we are packing out more large fruit (200-220mm) that winter is upon us - we are packing somewhere close to 10% of our crop as large currently. Our packing crew in the shed have been vigilant in continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers.

Quality on shelf this week was again varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking with good colour and bloom; whilst others were dull, with evidence of bronzing, sap staining, rub marking, neck damage and of course still a little bat/bird marking as you see in the photos below.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still all above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.50 to $4.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week we see Central Qld take the lead in avocado production accounting for 53% of the total harvest of some 314,471 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 45%; and the remaining 2% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This production figure represents a 34% decrease on week prior and a 15% increase on what was forecast for this period. This is as a direct result of North Qld growers electing not to pick as a result of the volume that was and is already in the market and the impact that has had on price - as stated last week we had been hearing rumours that a number of agents had instructed growers to stop picking until some of the volume had cleared and this seems to have been actioned. As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained. We have seen trays advertised in Victoria this week at just $5.00/tray by independent retailers. Coles and Aldi are both selling Hass at $1 per piece, Woolies were at $1.50ea for Australian Hass on Wednesday when we visited stores - from a customer’s perspective this represents astounding value but it is yet to be seen if sales increase significantly. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$30/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 355,000 - 360,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 362K and then 370K per week in the following fortnight.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was mixed in terms of quality; whilst there is a strong on the Hass variety as the main display, there was a continued presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors and in most instances the Gmax was at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What the specials on Hass this week have highlighted at store level is a presence of older fruit, some quite ripe and many with nodule damage, rots, some dehydration and sun bleaching as you will see in the images captured.

This week we saw more activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $6.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $5.50/bag.

It has definitely been a week of one where price has been the driving factor! In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos either $0.99 or $1.49 depending upon location and Hass at an advertised, catalogue featured piece price of $0.99ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.50 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld went out strong with radio advertising of the Hass promo at $1 per piece meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, but overall in good condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg
Lil Snackers were priced at $3.99 per pack (750g)

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.29 with skin marking including bat scratches, neck damage whilst condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI KENMORE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present
Lady Fingers were price at $6.99 with half of the fruit being backward and Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.99

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.90/kg and kids packs at $4.90/kg. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and some were backward. Lizzio Bananas packed 19th May were just about to be used to top up the display - fruit age 14 days old.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg- minimal fingers on display. Red tips were on display for $5.00/kg
All varieties had a presence of minor skin marking

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg

COLES KENMORE

Cavendish were priced at $4.90/kg with kids packs priced the same - again a presence of neck damage and a little bat marking
The majority of the Cavendish display had good colour and bloom - though still a few very dull clusters scattered throughout.
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour
This store also had Organic bananas ticketed at $6.00 (500g) on a fibreboard tray and overwrapped - stock marked down for quick sale - one only.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- a few clusters will dull bloom and minor skin scarring and a little light sap staining.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking
Organic variety were priced at $5.90, these were of good quality and Red tips were priced at $5.50, but no stock
There was pricing for Kids packs at $2.50 however again no stock on display.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg
On the cavendish display, approx 50% coloured and 50% semi colour condition, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Lil Sana clusters were at $2.50/kg however there was no stock of these

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg with stock supplied by Mackays, grown by Howe Farming and packed 19th May indicating fruit is 14 days old. Fruit presented well. A mix of colour and semi-condition throughout the display.
Lady Fingers were clean skinned and had good colour with a ticket price of $7.90/kg
Red tips were of good condition and were priced at $5.50 as were Organic variety

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Freshmax Hass stock - grower Ferraro, stock very ripe and a few pieces found with body rot priced at 99c each and Greenskin Gmax Avos stock presented in tray priced at 99c each!! GMax Count 25 stock packed 26th May - 7 days old - some lenticel damage.
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea also on special.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 25 Greenskin GMAX Avo and and count 25 Purpleskin Hass Avocados were priced at 99c and featured in the Aldi weekly catalogue. Hass packed 13th May meaning stock is 20 days old - some sun bleaching, skin scarring and a couple of hollow/light weight pieces found.

6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were also on special.

ALDI KENMORE

Count 25 Freshmax were priced at 99c each and Count 20 Greenskins GMax were priced at $1.49 packed 20th May therefore 13 days old, these displayed well whilst Hass supplied by Freshmax (Ferraro Farming packed 12th May meaning stock 21 days old) and Jampi Park grown by Tomasetig - 2 displays of Hass instore whilst on special.
The majority of fruit was firm, a percentage of the Hass starting to ripen.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Greenskin Gmax Avos selling and and Hass selling at $2.00ea, quality of these were good. Two displays of Hass with a table top display to the right of the entry to the produce department and a secondary display on the end of the second unit with Hass ticketed at $1.00 ea. Stock supplied by Purpleskins and another grower. A percentage with nodule damage on show.
Coles 5 Packs were on display for $5.50ea

COLES GARDEN CITY

Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass selling at $2.00ea whilst Simpsons supplied Hass selling at $1 a piece.
A little sun bleached fruit present, and some hass with nodule damage and scarring.
5 piece packs were selling for $5.50 and the 1kg I’m Perfect packs ticketed at $6.90ea.

COLES KENMORE

Neatly stacked table top display on entry to store with Hass on super special - but quality on offer was very ordinary on this display with clear pricing and then a secondary display at the end of the second unit. Both Greenskin Gmax Avocados at $2 ea and Hass at $1 ea presented on this secondary display. Stock supplied by Freshmax (Ferraro Farming stock which appeared old with rots forming, sun bleaching and skin marking) and Purpleskin Hass which had similar defects. Greenskin GMax avocados presented well and quality was good.
Coles 5 packs ticketed at $5.50ea - stock from three different suppliers and 1kg Im Perfect packs ticketed at $6.90ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Great presentation of display opposite entry to the department with ticket price of $2.00 ea - Zebra Avocado stock.
5 piece Avocado Nets on special at $6.50ea and 1kg at $5.50

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Greenskin Gmax Avocados ticketed at $2ea and Hass from Simpson Farms (Tinaroo) and Serra Farming (supplied by Mackays) both packed 17th May so stock is 16 days old and were priced at $1.50 each! A degree of nodule damage and bruising visible on the Tinaroo fruit. Poor placement of larger price signage on side of bin would have customers thinking all stock was $2 each.
5 piece packs were at $6.50 supplied by Simpson Farms and 1kg packs on special for $5.50

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

Purpleskin Hass priced at $1.50ea and Greenskin Gmax Shepard avocados priced at $2.00ea (Ct 16 packed 19th May therefore 14 days old). The maority of fruit was furit though on the hass there was some nodule damage present, odd piece with ridging and sun bleaching. New season signage positioned on both sides of the display which was opposite entry to the store/department.
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $5.50, Simpson supplied 5 packs ticketed at $6.50ea.

June 01, 2021

Retail Market Week 21

June 01, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national cut for last week pushed just over 400,543 cartons which was an increase of 6.89% or some 25,827 cartons on the week prior. The weather in the past week has seen rainfall in a number of regions across all North Qld - the heaviest falls ranging 10 to 24mm per day in the last week particularly in Innisfail and Tully; 5mm per day in Walkamin and isolated showers around Mareeba. The temperatures have continued to be milder with morning temperatures ranging 15 to 21.2C and daytime temperature ranges of 20.6 to 27.5C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out, we are now harvesting at 16 weeks and expect this to push out to 17 weeks in another week or so. National production is expected to be within the region of 390 to 415,000 cartons this coming week.

Whilst there is still a presence of bat marking, it is significantly less and we are pleased to say that finally we believe we have turned a corner towards better quality fruit. The harvesting team have been proactively cutting fruit slightly thinner in order to prevent bronzing damage and as already stated average bunch age is now at 16 weeks. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks. Our packing crew in the shed have been vigilant in continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers.

Quality on shelf this week was varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking and good colour; whilst others were dull, with evidence of bronzing, sap staining, rub marking, neck damage and of course still a little bat/bird marking as you do doubt see in the photos included.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets all above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50 to $4.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.50 to $4.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld is not ready to let go of the lead in avocado production accounting for 56% of the total harvest of some 473,181 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 43%; and the remaining 1% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This has been the biggest production week in North Qld’s avocado growing history to date and it represents a 3% increase on week prior and a 22% increase on what was forecast for this period. With the surge in volume of fruit in all markets, pricing has accordingly crashed and is expected to be in the teens for both premium and class one if not by late this week, then definitely by early next. Avocado market sales for premium trays last week were in the range of $20 -$24/tray. This is expected to be $14-$18/tray week starting 31st May. Pricing for class one fruit last week (main sales) has been ranging $13 --$17 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $30 --$40/ctn towards the end of this week and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$18/ctn.

Whilst a number of growers from what we have heard elected to not pick last week, or in some cases were told not to by their agents this is unfortunately only offers a temporary bandaid. The situation the industry finds itself in is one that has been building over a number of weeks with a large volume of fruit stockpiled in the system and the heavy pick the week prior has exacerbated the unstable pricing situation we find ourselves in. At this time, the fruit is in a better position hanging on the tree rather than in a tray, so if you do need to pick, go steady until we see if some of the super specials on offer will help clear of some of the existing volume. Having said that, Rock Ridge Fresh has been and continues to run tidy as we provide our customers with a volume that we intend to supply for the coming week and try to keep as close as possible to harvesting just what is needed.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was good with a greater focus on the Hass variety as the main display, but we have also again seen the Greenskin Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors this week - displays seen of this variety to date do not have any consumer information pertaining to how this variety ripens or what it looks like as it ripens.

Prepack formulations continue for be a value offer and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $5.99 ea on promo; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 - $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6 to $7/bag depending upon location; whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack $6.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld last week shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos at $1.29 ea and Hass priced at a competitive $1.29 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.50 ea; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass at $1.50 each or 4 for $5.00 if purchased as a multibuy. Coles Avocado special was supported with initial radio and press advertising in SE Qld, NSW and Victoria.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

Image courtesty Avocados Australia avodata

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present and a decent proportion of the fruit was backward in condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.49 with skin marking including bat scratches, neck damage whilst condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance. Lil Snackers packs were also priced at $4.49 per 750g pack.
Lady Fingers priced at $6.99/kg.

ALDI DREWVALE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present
Lady Fingers were price at $6.99 with half of the fruit being backward

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.50/kg and kids banded packs at $4.50/kg - stock positioned on a banana barge at the rear of the department opposite the meat refrigerated unit. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and some were backward.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg- minimal fingers on display. Red tips were on display for $5.00/kg
All varieties had a presence of minor skin marking and green fruit

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.90/kg and kids packs were the same.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg - many with rub marking and bronzing and Red tips at $5.00/kg
Most clusters of fruit were semi condition, approximately 30% had either dull appearance, sooty mould, neck damage etc - the display presented poorly for this centre.

COLES SUNNYBANK

Cavendish were priced at $4.90/kg with kids packs priced the same - again a presence of dull fruit, neck damage and a little bat marking - sizing of clusters varied somewhat.
Cavendish had decent colour and bloom, however some were slightly green
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour but also were decently marked

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- a few clusters will dull bloom and minor skin scarring included bat marking, light sap staining.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.90/kg
In the cavendish variety, one display had only a few semi condition clusters, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour and bloom.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Lil Sana clusters were at $4.90/kg

WOOLWORTHS PARKINSON

Cavendish were priced at $4.90/kg with stock supplied by Mackays Bananas. Fruit generally presented well but a percentage being a little dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were clean skinned and had good colour with a ticket price of $7.90/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Purpleskin Hass stock presented in tray priced at $1.29ea and Greenskin Gmax Avos stock presented in tray priced at $1.49ea
Hass with pack date 7th May (19 days old) count 23
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $5.99ea

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 23 Greenskin GMAX Avo and and count 25 Costa Hass Avocados were priced at $1.29

6 piece packs Hass for $5.99ea, these were featured in the catalogue this week as ‘On Special’

ALDI DREWVALE

Count 25 Purpleskins and Count 20 Greenskins were both priced at $1.49
The majority of fruit was firm, a percentage of the Hass starting to ripen. Nodule damage common on the Gmax Avos.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Greenskin Gmax Avos selling and and Hass selling at $1.50ea or 4 for $5.00, quality of these were good. Two displays with a table top display to the right of the entry to the produce department and a secondary display on the end of the second unit.
Coles 5 Packs were on display for $6.50ea

COLES GARDEN CITY

Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass selling at $1.50 singularly or 4 for $5.00 multibuy offer although there was also signage to suggest they were also priced at $2.00 singularly
All fruit had good colour and firmness
5 piece packs were selling for $6.50

COLES SUNNYBANK

Neatly stacked table top display along entry to store with clear pricing. Both Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass present on this display. All lines $1.50 ea or multi buy 4 for $5.00.
All stock in this store had good colour and firmness - little nodule damage on the hass.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Great presentation of display opposite entry to the department with keen ticket price of $1.50 ea that had been well shopped already.
5 piece Shepard Nets on special at $6.50ea
New seasonal Header Cards to mark the start of the Australian Hass season.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Both Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass Variety from Purpleskin and Blue Sky were priced at $2.00 each! A degree of nodule damage visible on the Purpleskin hass.

WOOLWORTHS PARKINSON

Hass with spillover and Greenskin Gmax Shepard avocados were priced at $1.50ea, most fruit had good colour and firmness, some with minor skin marking.
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs on offer for $7.00
New seasonal Hass Header Card and info card erected.

May 21, 2021

Retail Market Week 20

May 21, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen minimal rain fall across all North Qld growing regions - the heaviest falls ranging 6 to 20mm per day in the last three days particularly in Innisfail and Tully. The temperatures have continued to be milder with morning temperatures ranging 13 to 21.1C and daytime temperature ranges of 23 to 28.8C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out, we are now harvesting at 16 weeks and expect this to push out to 17 weeks in another week or so. National production is expected to be within the region of 340 to 360,000 cartons this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets all above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.00 to $4.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.30 to $4.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld is not ready to let go of the lead in avocado production accounting for 63% of the total harvest of some 459,180 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 36%; and the remaining 1% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This production figure represents a 15% increase on week prior and a 9% increase on what was forecast for this period. The volume of fruit in all markets has significantly increased and pricing is coming back quickly. Australian Hass are now truly in season with other available varietals in much lower volumes with hass harvest figures accounting for 89% of the avocados that were harvested this week. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $20 -$26/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$18 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$50/ctn towards the end of this week and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$18/ctn.

The production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 390,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 413K and then 406K per week in the following fortnight. Dry matter test results conducted in the last week are ranging 22.1 to 25.3% on medium to large fruit - we are continuing to pick accordingly only fruit from blocks that have returned dry matter results that exceed 23%.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was good with a greater focus on the Hass variety as the main display, but we have also seen the Greenskin Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors this week - displays seen of this variety to date do not have any consumer information pertaining to how this variety ripens or what it looks like as it ripens.

Prepack formulations continue for be a value offer and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $6.99 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 - $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6 to $7/bag depending upon location; whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass priced at a competitive $1.49 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.50 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass at $1.80 each or 3 for $5.00. Coles is running a late week special with radio and press advertising supporting with an offer of Hass 4 for $5.00 - this special is on offer in SE Qld, NSW and Victoria.

Avocados Australia have commenced their marketing campaign with the launch of “Our Green Gold” commercial bursting onto television screens now through until the end of June which will be supported by social media, digital advertising and public relations.

coles newspaper advertisment for late week hass avocado special 4/$5.00 - 21/05/21 in sydney

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepard and Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present and a high proportion of the fruit was backward in condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.49 with skin marking including bat scratches, neck damage whilst condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI CARINDALE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.90/kg and kids packs at $4.90/kg - stock positioned on a banana barge at the rear of the department opposite the meat refrigerated unit. This fruit was predominantly backward - and the cold air coming from the refrigerated units opposite will not help fruit condition. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and bat marks. Some neck damage, bronzing and sooty mould visible on cavendish.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg- minimal fingers on display.
All varieties had a presence of minor skin marking and green fruit

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.30/kg and kids packs were the same.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg
Most clusters of fruit had questionable condition, approximately 40% had either dull appearance, sooty mould, neck damage etc - the display presented poorly for this centre. Display would need to be refilled soon.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish were priced at $4.30/kg with kids packs priced the same - again a presence of dull fruit, neck damage and a little bat marking - sizing of clusters varied somewhat.
Cavendish had decent colour and bloom, however some were slightly green
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour but also were decently marked

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.90/kg- a few clusters will dull bloom and minor skin scarring included bat marking, light sap staining.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking
Red tips were priced at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg
In the cavendish variety, one display had only a few backward clusters, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Lil Sana clusters at $4.50/kg and red tip variety $5.50/kg had fairly good colour

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg with stock supplied by Mackays Bananas packed 6th May therefore stock age is 13 days. Kids packs were selling at the same ticket price. Fruit presented well but perhaps with too high a percentage being a little backward.
Lady Fingers were clean skinned and had good colour with a ticket price of $7.90/kg and organic variety were priced at $5.90/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SPRINGWOOD

Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos stock presented in tray priced at $1.49ea
Hass with pack date 6th April (13 days old) count 25
6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $6.99ea
Hass had slight marking but in general was well presented

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 20 Greenskin GMAX Avo and and count 23 Purpleskin Hass Avocados were priced at $1.49 - Hass had a presence of nodule damage.

6 piece packs Hass for $6.99ea

ALDI CARINDALE

Count 25 Purpleskins and Count 20 Greenskins were both priced at $1.49 - stock with pack dates of 6th and 5th of May therefore fruit is 13-14 days old.
The majority of fruit was firm, a percentage of the Hass starting to ripen.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SPRINGWOOD

Greenskin Gmax Avos selling and and Hass selling at $1.80ea or 3/$5.00, quality of these were good. Two displays with a table top display to the right of the entry to the produce department filled with Tinaroo Farms fruit - all very firm count 25/28 and a secondary display on the end of the second unit.
Avocado I’m Perfect 1kg packs selling at $8.00 ea and Coles 5 Packs were on display for $8.90ea

COLES GARDEN CITY

Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass selling at $1.80 singularly or 3 for $5.00 multibuy offer
All fruit had good colour and firmness - not ideal if you are wanting to use that day or the next.

COLES CARINDALE

Neatly stacked table top display bin along entry to store with clear pricing. Both Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass present on this display and also on end unit display. All lines $1.80 ea or multi buy 3 for $5.00.
All stock in this store had good colour and firmness - little nodule damage on the hass.
Avocado I’m Perfect 1kg packs and 5 piece packs were both on display for $8.90ea

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD

Great presentation of display opposite entry to the department with keen ticket price of $1.50 ea and a basket of Australian garlic n the centre - primarily Count 28 Hass avocados supplied by Nature’s Fruit Company and Blue Sky Avocados - some loose pieces with rub and nodule damage.
5 piece Shepard Nets on special at $7.50ea and 1kg packs of Hass containing between 8 and 12 pieces at $7.00 a bag.
New seasonal Header Cards to mark the start of the Australian Hass season.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Both Greenskin Gmax Avocados and Hass Variety from Purpleskin and Blue Sky were priced at $1.50 each! A degree of nodule damage visible on the Purpleskin hass.
1kg Odd Bunch packs were priced at $7.50ea - did find a few packs containing bruised fruit.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Count 18 and 20 Purpleskin Hass with spillover and Greenskin Gmax Shepard avocados were priced at $1.50ea, most fruit had good colour and firmness, some with marking.
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $7.00 and 5 piece packs at $7.50

May 07, 2021

Retail Market Week 18

May 07, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week decreased again by a further 73,000 cartons to a total of 333,516 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has seen continued dried up a little in comparison to the last couple of weeks but continued to cool off particularly overnight and early mornings in North Qld. Temperatures have been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 13.1-21.9C and maximum day temps of 23.2 to 28.8C. Rainfall since last Wednesday has seen Walkamin receive a further 10mm; Mareeba a further 1mm; Tully another 65mm; and Innisfail another 59mm falling in isolated showers in each region. With the cooling of the seasonal weather the average bunch age will push out, we are now harvesting at 16 weeks and expect this to push out to 17 weeks. National production is expected to be within the region of 350 to 370,000 cartons this week.

Whilst there is still a presence of bat marking, it is significantly less and we are pleased to say that finally we believe we have turned a corner towards better quality fruit. We have been cutting fruit slightly thinner in order to prevent bronzing damage and as already stated average bunch age is now at 16 weeks. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks. We are continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers. At Banana Congress next week, we are hoping there is a discussion around how we as individual farmers and as an industry can deal with the damage caused by the bats.

Quality on shelf this week was varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking and good colour, others dull, with bronzing, sap staining and of course some bat/bird marking as you do doubt see in the photos included.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $3.50 to $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at$3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Central Qld took the lead in avocado production accounting for 51% of the total harvest of some 260,413 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 48.5%; and the remaining 0.5% came from combined regions of Central NSW; South Qld and Sunshine Coast. Whilst this production figure represents a 29% increase on week prior it was also 6.8% lower than forecast for this period. Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Hass are now pipping Shepard production figures accounting for 51% of the avocados that were harvested this week. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $24 -$32/tray, with Hass trays at the upper band of this range. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $16 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $42 --$50/ctn towards the end of this week and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$27/ctn.

North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again this week with around 60,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 30K and then 17K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass this week was forecast to be 286,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 308K and then 320K for the following fortnight. These figures will be impacted by local weather conditions - isolated showers have been experienced this week, but weather has been much drier which is pleasing. Dry matter test results conducted to date are ranging 21.2 to 26.4% on medium to large fruit - we are continuing to pick accordingly only fruit from blocks that have dry matter results that exceed 23%. The longer term forecast is for further rain - so harvesting may be interrupted from time to time, but we will keep you all abreast of developments on a week-by-week basis.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins -most major retailers are still stocking shepards with changeover to Hass next week. Aldi were stocking Greenskins AvoMax range and this fruit was ticketed as Avocado Greenskins selling at $1.79 each - fruit was very firm, but presented well. They were also stocking the Purpleskin Hass also selling at $1.79 each.

Prepack formulations continue for be a value offer and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $7.49 to $7.79 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $7/bag whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Shepard and Hass priced at a competitive $1.79 per single piece (NB their Cooparoo store still had fruit ticketed at $1.59ea); Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed between $1.80 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Shepards $1.80 each or 3 for $5.00. Coles at Goodna had shifted their table top display to just inside the store entry, front and centre.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI COOPAROO

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present and a high proportion of the fruit was backward in condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg and Lil snackers kids packs were $3.29

ALDI REDBANK PLAINS

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 with skin marking including bat scratches and colouring of some being dull
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Cavendish displayed fundamentally in a single layer on tiered steps priced at $3.99/kg with fruit being relatively good in colour but exhibiting minor skin marking, rub and neck injuries.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.90/kg and kids packs at $4.50/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg - good colour and were clean.
All varieties had a presence of minor skin marking, stock was low

COLES REDBANK PLAINS

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $3.90/kg
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90/kg and kids packs were $3.90
Most fruit had good colour and presented well, approximately 20% backward fruit; a small quantity of cavendish did exhibit a degree of skin marking.

COLES FOREST LAKE

Cavendish were priced at $3.90 with kids packs priced the same
Cavendish had decent colour and bloom, however some were slightly green
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour but also were decently marked

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- odd cluster will dull bloom and skin marking included bat marking, neck injury and odd splitting peel.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90
Little Sana banded packs were priced at $3.50/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg with some marking

WOOLWORTHS GOODNA

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.90/kg with kids packs priced the same
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom. A very neat and tidy display.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with evidence of bronzing and minor skin marking; whilst Lil Sana clusters at $3.90/kg and red tip variety $5.00/kg had good colour and fairly clean presentation.

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg and kids packs the same
Red tip variety and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Some stock was semi condition, odd cluster backward

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI COOPAROO

Costa Shepard Avos count 25, packed 19th April (16 days old) stock presented in tray priced at $1.59
Costa Hass were also in stock, count 23 priced at $1.59ea
6 piece packs of Shepards were priced at $7.49, but no stock was on display
Fruit had slight marking but in general was well presented

ALDI REDBANK PLAINS

Count 20 Greenskin GMAX Avo and Purpleskin Hass Avocados were priced at $1.79 - packed 21st April meaning fruit is 14 days old.

6 piece packs of Shepards were on display for $7.49 and 6 piece Hass for $7.79

ALDI FOREST LAKE

Count 20 Green Skin GMAX Avos were priced at $1.79ea and Purple Skins Hass were also priced at $1.79
6 piece Hass packs were $7.79/net
Stock had good colour, some with minimal marking - some sun blemish amongst the Hass and skin marking.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES COOPAROO

Shepards selling at $2.00ea or on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00, quality of these were good.
Avocado I’m Perfect 1kg packs were on display for $8.90 and 5 piece Shepard nets also for $8.90ea.

COLES REDBANK PLAINS

Count 28 Zebra Shepard; Dorian and Howe Farming avos for $1.80 - display with all the different tray colours appeared a little jumbled.
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $8.90/net as were 5 piece packs, all stock had good colour and minimal marking

COLES FOREST LAKE

Count 25 Simpson Farming Shepard variety, packed 19th April (16 days old) were priced multibuy 3 for $5.00
All stock in this store had good colour and firmness

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Count 16 (Greenskins) GMAX avocados priced at $2.00ea - a number of loose pieces with bruising and skin marks.
5 piece Hass Nets on special at $6.50ea and 1kg packs at $7.00 - packs were disappointing with many containing individual pieces with rots or severe sunburn.

WOOLWORTHS GOODNA

Count 23 Shepard avocados supplied by Mackays - Obie Fresh were displayed well at $1.80ea (packed 27th April so 8 days old)
1kg Odd Bunch packs were priced at $7.00ea - did find a few packs containing bruised fruit.
Great to see the promo of the new Hass Avocado season on the back of the Woolworths shopper docket for the month of May!

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Shepard avocados were priced at $2.00, most fruit had good colour and firmness, some with marking - suppliers included Gunnado and Simpson
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $7.00

April 29, 2021

Retail Market Week 17

April 29, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week decreased by almost 38,000 cartons to a total of 406,557 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has seen continued showery weather, overcast skies and cooler temperatures which is negatively impacting growth rates in North Qld. Temperatures have been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 17.5-22.9C and maximum day temps of 24 to 28.7C. Rainfall since last Wednesday has seen Walkamin receive a further 37mm; Mareeba a further 57mm; Tully another 340mm; and Innisfail another 380mm all of which will impact fruit bloom and will continue to hinder each farms ability to harvest so national production is expected to remain steady or possibly decline to within the range of 390,000 to 400,000 cartons this week.

On our own farm we have been dealing with continuing to grade out bat damage - this protected species has caused significant damage this year. Now in light of recent and prevailing weather we are seeing growth rates slow with average bunch age increasing from 15 weeks to 16, and if cool, wet weather persists this will very soon be out to 17 weeks - which utlimately means reduced output from the farm. The other defect we are starting to see an increase in with the wet weather and increasing bunch age is bronzing - we will most certainly be trying to grade out what is visible at time of pack, but this is a progressive defect that worsens as the fruit ripens and matures.

Quality on shelf this week has improved slightly with definitely less visible bat marking (more sporadic) , on some lines there is a presence of rust thrip damage, minor neck injuries and general skin marking including point scarring and rub.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.00/kg and Coles offering fruit between $1.99 and $3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in avocado production accounting for 55% of the total harvest of some 201,877 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 43%; and the remaining 2% coming from combined regions of Central NSW; South Qld and Sunshine Coast. Whilst this production figure represents a 29% decrease on last week it has to be expected with the weather conditions that have prevailed over the last 7 to 10 days. Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again this week with around 100,000 to 120,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 70K and then 30K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass this week was forecast to be 128,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 250K and then 290K for the following fortnight. These figures will be impacted by local weather conditions - rain was present at the beginning of this week with some farms, including our own, electing not to harvest during the wet to minimise the development of nodule damage. However, whilst not beaming sunshine, the weather has improved slightly and has been fine since Wednesday so we have commenced our 2021 Hass harvest. Dry matter test results conducted to date are ranging 22.9 to 25.1% on large fruit - so we are spot picking large fruit from a few blocks. The longer term forecast is for further rain - so harvesting may be interrupted from time to time, but we will keep you all abreast of developments on a week-by-week basis.

Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins. We did find a few count 28’s that were a little misshapen and a few with either bruises or rots.

Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $7.49 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $7/bag whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was the most competitive at $1.79 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed between $1.80 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Shepards $2 each or 3 for $5.00. It should also be noted that a couple of the Aldi stores visited had commenced stocking new season Hass supplied by Purple Skins - this fruit as you will see in photos had noticeable nodule damage (it had obviously been picked whilst the fruit has been wet) and was rock hard - ticket price was $1.59 each.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI BEENLEIGH

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present and a high proportion of the fruit was backward in condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg and Lil snackers kids packs were $2.99

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish were priced at $3.49 and were slightly backward, with some minor skin marking including bat scratches.
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $2.99
Lady Fingers were of good colour and condition, presented in hands, priced at $5.99/kg

ALDI LOGANHOLME

Cavendish displayed in a single layer on tiered steps priced at $3.49/kg with fruit being relatively good in colour but exhibiting minor skin marking and neck injuries.
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $2.99

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES BEENLEIGH

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $1.99/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg - both clusters had good colour and were clean.
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking, stock was extremely low

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $3.90/kg
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90/kg, kids packs were $3.50 and organic variety were $5.00/kg Red Tips also present but no price ticket visible.
Most fruit had good colour and presented well, approximately 20% backward fruit; a small quantity of cavendish did exhibit a degree of skin marking.

COLES LOGANHOLME

Cavendish were priced at $3.50 with kids packs priced the same
Cavendish had decent colour and bloom, however kids packs were green and understocked
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BEENLEIGH

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg- odd cluster will dull bloom and skin marking included bat marking, neck injury and odd splitting peel.
Little Sana banded packs were priced at $4.00/kg and presented beautifully, Red tips at $5.00/kg with some marking

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg with kids packs priced at $4.00
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters, a few with neck damage or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg were quite backward; whilst organic variety $5.00/kg had good colour

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

Cavendish were priced at $4.00/kg and kids packs the same
Red tip variety and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - well stickered but again backward condition.
Some stock was semi condition, odd cluster backward

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI BEENLEIGH

Shepard Avos count 25 from Greenskins, stock presented in tray priced at $1.79
Hass were also in stock from Purple Skins, count 23 packed 16th April (12 days old) priced at $1.59ea - fruit was rock hard and had quite a degree of nodule damage.
6 piece packs of Shepards were priced at $7.49
Fruit had slight marking but in general was well presented

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Count 23 Obie Shepard Avocados were priced at $1.59, packed 13th April (15 days old) supplied by Deluca Banana Marketing via Mackays.

6 piece packs were on display for $7.49

ALDI LOGANHOLME

Count 25 Shepard Avocados supplied by Green Skins packed 20th April therefore 8 days old, avos were priced at $1.79ea and Count 25 Hass avocados were at $1.59 again with some nodule damage.
6 piece packs were $7.49/net
Stock had good colour, some with minimal marking

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES BEENLEIGH

Count 28 Howe Farming Shepards selling at $2.00ea or on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00, quality of these were good.
Avocado I’m Perfect 1kg packs were on display for $8.90 and 5 piece Shepard nets also for $8.90ea.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Shepard avos on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00 or singularly for $2.00
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $8.90/net as were 5 piece packs, all stock had good colour and minimal marking

COLES LOGANHOLME

Howe Farming Shepard variety were priced $2.00ea or multibuy 3 for $5.00, this was displayed on the ‘special’ sign at the front of the store
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $8.90 as well as the 5 piece packs at the same price

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BEENLEIGH

Count 20 (Simpson) packed 9th April - stock age 19 days and Count 23 (Gunnado) shepard avocados packed 14th April - stock age 14 days on display and priced at $1.80ea presented well, though Simpson stock did have some lenticel.
5 piece Hass Nets at $7.50ea, organic packs at $8.00, 1kg packs at $7.00

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Count 16 Shepard avocados were displayed well at $2.00ea (packed 15th April so 13 days old)
5 piece packs were $7.50ea and both 1kg Odd Bunch as well as the 3 piece Large Hass packs were priced at $7.00ea

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

Shepard avocados were priced at $1.90, cross merchandised with a basket of lemons; most fruit had good colour and firmness, some with marking - suppliers included Gunnado and Simpson
Avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $7.00

April 26, 2021

Retail Market Week 16

April 26, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week increased by a almost 44,000 cartons to a total of 444,343 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has been overcast and very wet in a number of areas in the far North with up to 700mm rain across a three day period; temperatures were milder with minimum temperatures ranging 16.3-22C and maximum day temps of 23 to 30.1C. This week of inclement weather will not help fruit bloom and will hinder each farms ability to harvest so national production is expected to decline somewhat to within the range of 380,000 to 400,000 cartons.

Quality on shelf this week has improved slightly with definitely less visible bat marking (more sporadic) , on some lines there is a presence of sooty mould, rust thrip damage, minor neck injuries and general skin marking including point scarring and rub.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.00/kg dependent upon the store locality. The independent at one outlet had cavendish at $3.29/kg.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 66.8% of the total production of some 282,888 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 31.9%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW and South Qld. Whilst this production represents a 20.6% increase, this includes all varieties including Shepard ((253K), Maluma (15K) and new season Hass (13K). Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again next week with around 170,000 to 180,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 100K and then 70K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass over this same two week period is forecast to lift to 134K and then 258K in the same timeframe.

The weather in far north Queensland has not been conducive to getting a start on picking and packing our Hass avocados with rain in excess of 100-150mm on several days and lighter showers every other day - for this reason we have elected to hold off for dry weather as if me make a start the result is a higher level of nodule damage and there is also a risk of increased rots. We are hoping to commence early next week. Sadly not all growers in the region are withholding from picking in the rain.

Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins.

Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $6.99 ea on special and Woolworths have utilised their prepack range this week to attract customers with the 5 pack on special for $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6.50/bag.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI LUTWYCHE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - a degree of skin marking as well as some of the fruit spotting

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 and were backward, with some considerable marking and sap staining
Lady Fingers were slightly marked and were priced at $5.99

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 with around 70% of fruit being backward and stacked which can produce marking
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $2.79 and Lady Fingers at $6.99, both varieties showing skin markings

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES LUTWYCHE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90
Most fruit had good colour though still a presence of dull clusters, roughly 20% backward fruit with a degree of skin marking of the cavendish.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.00 with kids packs priced the same
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS LUTWYCHE

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- odd cluster will dull bloom and skin marking around 40% were backward
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with a degree of skin marking, Little Sana banded packs were priced at $3.90, red tips at $5.00/kg, all fruit with some marking

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg with kids packs priced at $3.90
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters, and a considerable amount of marking
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with some skin marking/sap staining

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg and kids packs at $3.90
Red tip variety and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Some stock was semi condition, odd cluster backward

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI LUTWYCHE

Shepard Avos count 25 from De Luca, stock presented in tray priced at $1.79 Packed 1st April - therefore 19 days old.
6 piece packs of Shepards were priced at $6.99
Fruit had slight marking but in general was well presented

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 25 Greenskins Shepard Avocados were priced at $1.79

6 piece packs were on display for $6.99

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 25 Shepard Avocados supplied by Green Skins packed 9th April therefore 12 days old, avos were priced at $1.79ea and 6 piece packs were $6.99/net
Stock had good colour, some with minimal marking

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 25 Rockridge Shepards selling at $1.90ea or on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00, quality of these were good.
Avocado 5 piece packs were on display for $8.00.

COLES LUTWYCHE

Simpson Farms Count 25 and 28 Shepard avos on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00 or singularly for $1.90
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $8.90/net.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Count 28 Kureen Shepard variety were priced $1.90ea or multibuy 3 for $5.00, however this was not displayed on the ‘special’ sign at the front of the store
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $8.90 as well as the 5 piece packs at the same price

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS LUTWYCHE

Count 25 shepard avocados on display and priced at $1.80ea presented well.
5 piece Hass Nets at $7.50ea, organic packs at $8.00, 1kg packs at $7.00

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 25 Shepard avocados were displayed well at $1.60ea
5 piece packs were $7.50ea

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Shepard avocados (Count 16, 18 and 20) were priced at $2.00, most fruit had good colour and firmness - suppliers included Greenskin; Simpson and Obie Fresh(Mackays).
On special were the avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $6.00
Organic packs were priced at $8.00 and 5 piece packs were $7.50

April 20, 2021

Retail Market Week 15

April 20, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week was fairly stable with just over 400,000 cartons harvested. National production is expected to be within the range of 380-410K cartons next week. The weather in the past week has been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 17.2 - 24.0C and maximum day temps of 28.1 to 32.9C. Minimal rain in the last week, though Walkamin did have 37mm for the week, though a more significant wet period is forecast for next week particularly for the Innisfail and Tully regions.

Quality on shelf this week whilst slightly improved, continues to be somewhat disappointing with dull, grey/bronzed fruit with various skin markings being a common finding particularly in Coles and Aldi stores - this is most likely as a result of recent weather conditions. Pleased to say however that there is less visible bat/bird marked fruit being seen on retail shelves. All chains had a percentage of semi-coloured or backward fruit on shelf this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.30 to $4.50/kg dependent upon the store locality. As already stated, quality varied greatly with a number of lines having visible skin marking including neck damage, bat scratches, sap staining, rust thrip damage and rub marking.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 75% of the total production of some 234,651 last week; followed by Central Qld with 24%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW. Pricing has continued stabilised somewhat in the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray, odd $32/tray around. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $16 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again next week with around 150,000 to 170,000 trays expected from growing regions. The forecast for the next two week period shows the Shepard tray volume continuing to decline and Hass volumes commencing and steadily increasing with around 200,000 trays expected by first week May. Growers have been advised to send their dry matter test results before commencing harvesting their hass crop and to make sure they submit a range of fruit sizing for testing - as even the small fruit used in prepacks has to meet the maturity requirements.

Some action in the prepack market this week with Woolworths having their 1kg Odd Bunch on special @$6.50/bag and 5 piece packs at $7.50 ea in Qld. All major chains still have shepards in their prepack formulations at this stage with a changeover to Hass expected by mid May.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was a competitive $1.49 per piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed anywhere from $1.80/piece to $3.00 ea if price tickets can be believed; whilst Coles in Qld have continued to run fruit at $1.90ea or offer 3 for $5.00 on both Shepards and Maluma’s (Autumn Hass) to stimulate demand. Presentation in stores this week was generally pleasing.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - a degree of skin marking as well as some of the fruit spotting
This store also had Lil Snackers 750g packs priced at $3.49, some of these were slightly backward

ALDI CANNON HILL

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 and were backward, with some considerable marking and sap staining
Lady Fingers were slightly marked and were priced at $5.99
Lil Snackers were priced at $3.49

ALDI WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 with around 70% of fruit being backward and stacked which can produce marking
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.49 and Lady Fingers at $5.99, both varieties showing skin markings

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.30/kg and kids packs at $3.30/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking.

COLES CANNON HILL

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $3.30/kg, Kids banded clusters similarly were $3.30.
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90 - a number of clusters with skin marking.
Approximately 50% of cavendish display was semi-colour or backward in condition, some clusters affected by sooty mould, bronzing and sap staining.

COLES WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $4.50 with Kids packs priced the same
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.90/kg. Good colour and generally good bloom (odd cluster will dull bloom), light skin marking.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with a degree of skin marking, Little Sana banded packs were priced at $3.90, red tips at $5.00/kg, all fruit with minimal marking

WOOLWORTHS CANNON HILL

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.90/kg with kids packs priced at $3.30
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters - some quite long clusters, little sooty mould present and skin marking - not a lot of fruit could be taken home and eaten the same day.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with good colour and minimal skin marking

WOOLWORTHS WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $3.90/kg and were in urgent need of a refill. The few clusters on offer were of good quality.
Red tip variety (with some neck injuries present and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg a number of these with skin marks and superficial bruising.
Kids bananas were lovely and presented well.

Independent in the centre….Would you buy this???

Cavendish bananas were priced at $2.99/kg, dull fruit, sooty mould, neck injuries, light bat marking.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

Shepard Avos count 23 from Greenskins, stock presented in tray priced at $1.49 Packed 1st April - therefore 13 days old.
6 piece packs of Shepards were priced at $7.49
Fruit had slight marking but in general was well presented. On promo in Aldi Catalogue Qld.

ALDI CANNON HILL

Count 25 Shepard Avocados supplied by De Luca Banana Marketing/Freshmax Qld purchased from Mackays; selling at $1.49 (packed on 31st March = 15 days old)

6 piece packs were on display for $7.49

ALDI WYNNUM

Count 23 Shepard Avocados supplied by Green Skins packed 31st March therefore 15 days old, avos were priced at $1.49ea and 6 piece packs were $7.49/net
Stock had good colour, some with beige or russet marking of the skin.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Shepards selling at $1.90ea or multibuy offer 3 for $5.00, quality of these were good.
Avocado 5 piece packs were on display for $8.00.
This store also stocked ‘Autumn Avocados’ (Maluma Hass) which were priced at $1.90ea or 3 for $5.00

COLES CANNON HILL

Simpson Farms Count 25 and 28 Shepard avos on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00 or singularly for $1.90
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were on special for $6.90/net.

COLES WYNNUM

Shepard variety were priced $1.90ea or multibuy 3 for $5.00, this was displayed on the ‘special’ sign at the front of the store - stock being supplied by Simpson Farms Count 25 packed 28th March stock thereby 17 days old, a little sunburn present; Rockridge Farms Count 28 packed 27th March with BB 14th April which means it was supplied on 9th April - quality of the few remaining pieces was holding well and also another supplier with Cobra Hill Orchards fruit which was not holding well.
Shepards were displayed on a table top unit - a number of pieces with rots found.
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $6.90 and Coles 5 piece nets at $8.90ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Count 16-20 Howe Farming and Poggoli’s avocados on display priced at $2.00ea presented well - though there were a few injuries and some skin marking observed.
5 piece Hass Nets on special at $8.00ea, a few packs with slight bruising

WOOLWORTHS CANNON HILL

Two sided display with a mix of Count 23 and Count 25 Shepard avocados were displayed well at $1.80ea - A percentage supplied by Howe Farming packed 25th March fruit viewed was 20 days old - a few pieces suffering bruising and breakdown; some Cadorin Orchards supplied by Murray Brothers presented well - packed date 31st March therefore fruit is just 14 days old. A few Nature’s Fruit Company avos count 20 also on this display - lovely quality of this line.
5 piece packs were $7.50ea and 1kg Odd Bunch nets on special at $6.50ea. One bag found not fully sealed. Not sure about signage - pricing on side of bin states $7.50/pack and small yellow special ticket states $6.50/5 pack?

WOOLWORTHS WYNNUM

Shepard avocados (Count 23 and 25) were priced at $1.80, most fruit had good colour and firmness - suppliers included Greenskin; Poggioli Farming and Obie Fresh(Mackays). Quite a number of bruised pieces developing body rot in the Obie trays.
On special were the avocado Five piece packs on special at $6.50 ea whilst Odd Bunch 1kg packs were $7.00ea some packs over-ripe and others with early stage body rot development.

INDEPENDENT STORE

Shepard Avocados were priced at 3 for $5.00 or $1.99ea - by the fruit sticker, this is Howe Farming fruit.

April 07, 2021

Retail Market Week 14

April 07, 2021/ Paul Wilson

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BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week was fairly stable just shy of 361,000 cartons harvested in the last week. National production is expected to be within the range of 360-370K cartons next week. The weather in the past week has been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 17.9-23.6C and maximum day temps of 26.4to 33.7C. In terms of rainfall, there has been a few showers along the coast, less in the hinterland.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.29/kg; Woolworths at $3.30 to $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.50 to $3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality. The independent at one outlet had cavendish at $2.99/kg.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 69% of the total production of some 316,000 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 30%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW. Pricing appears to have reached a period of temporary stabilisation within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter next week around 240,000 to 250,000 trays expected from the region. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume starting to decline slightly with harvests within the range of 210,000 to 220,000 per week. Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins.

Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Coles have their 1kg I’m Perfect packs on special at $6.50 each and the Woolies at Mt Ommaney had their 1kg Odd Bunch pack on special at just $4.00/pack.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

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BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.29/kg - a degree of skin marking as well as some of the fruit spotting, bat scratches and multiple clusters with sooty mould. Many hands were also either semi coloured or backward in this store

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.29 and were quite backward
Lady Fingers were slightly marked and were priced at $5.99

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.29 with around 70% of fruit being backward and stacked which can produce markig
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.99 and Lady Fingers at $5.99, both varieties showing skin markings

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.80/kg and kids packs at $3.80/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $3.80/kg
Kids packs were also priced at $3.80
Most fruit had good colour though still a presence of dull clusters, roughly 20% backward fruit with a degree of skin marking of the cavendish.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.80 with Kids packs priced the same
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.90/kg. Good colour and generally good bloom (odd cluster will dull bloom), light skin marking.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with a degree of skin marking, Little Sana banded packs were priced at $3.90, red tips at $5.00/kg, all fruit with minimal marking

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.30/kg with kids packs priced at the same point.
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with good colour and minimal skin marking
This store also had the organic variety which were priced at $5.00/kg

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $3.90/kg and kids packs the same - this week the banana display was on the rear of the first row.
Red tip variety and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Some stock was semi condition, odd cluster backward. Display almost in need of a refill and tidy.

INDEPENDENT STORE MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas were priced at $2.99/kg, most stock were semi condition and fairly clean.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg - singles and pairs perhaps from previous day trade were overwrapped on trays.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Shepard Avos count 23 from Greenskins, stock presented in tray priced at $1.79 Packed 25th March - therefore 13 days old.
6 piece packs of Shepards were priced at $7.99
Fruit had slight marking but in general was well presented

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Count 23 Shepard Avocados supplied by Greenskins were priced at $1.79 (packed on 26th March = 12 days old)
6 piece packs were on display for $7.99

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Count 25 Shepard Avocados supplied by Costa’s packed 24th March therefore 14 days old as well as some Obie; avos were priced at $1.79ea and 6 piece packs were $7.99/net
Stock had good colour, some with minimal marking

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Howe Farming Count 25 and Rockridge Count 28 Shepards selling at $1.90ea or on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00, quality of these were good.
Avocado 5 piece packs were on display for $8.00.
This store also stocked ‘Autumn Avocados’ (Maluma Hass) which were priced at $1.90ea or 3 for $5.00

COLES GARDEN CITY

Count 28 Shepard avos on multibuy offer 3 for $5.00 or singularly for $1.90, although front of store signage presented them at $1.50ea??
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were on special for $6.50/net.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Shepard variety were priced $1.90ea or multibuy 3 for $5.00, this was displayed on the ‘special’ sign at the front of the store
Shepards were displayed on a table top unit which was fourth from the store entry at the front.
‘I’m Perfect’ 1kg packs were priced at $6.50 whilst Coles 5 packs were $8.90 some of these were quite light in weight.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 28 Howe Farming (packed 22nd March = 16 days old) avocados on display and priced at $1.90ea presented well.
5 piece Hass Nets on special at $8.00ea, a few packs with slight bruising

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Count 25 Shepard avocados, packed 25th March therefore 13 days old, were displayed well at $2.20ea - grower Poggioli Farming. Display just inside entry to store.
5 piece packs were $8.00ea

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Shepard avocados (Count 23 and 25) were priced at $2.20, most fruit had good colour and firmness - suppliers included Greenskin; Poggioli Farming and Obie Fresh(Mackays) with packed dates of 19th to 25th meaning fruit was between 13 and 19 days old. Quite a number of bruised pieces developing body rot in the Obie trays.
On special were the avocado Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $4.00
Avo Fresh spread was available at this store for $5.00

INDEPENDENT STORE MT OMMANEY

Shepard Avocados were priced at 3 for $5.00 or $1.99ea

April 06, 2021

Retail Market Week 13

April 06, 2021/ Paul Wilson

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week was fairly stable with just under 363,000 cartons harvested - a slight increase on the previous week of 2,000 cartons. National production is expected to be within the range of 360-370K cartons next week. The weather in the past week has been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 18.3 - 24C and maximum day temps of 27.2 to 33.4C. Minimal rain in the last week though more is forecast late in the week particularly for the Innisfail and Tully regions.

Quality on shelf this week has improved somewhat on previous trading weeks with less dull, grey/bronzed fruit and skin marking was also less than previous weeks. The Woolworths offering in this centre was best on show this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.29/kg; Woolworths at $3.30/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.50/kg in the centre visited - only one centre visited due to Brisbane being in Covid lockdown.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths, Aldi and Coles Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 85% of the total production of some 266,000 last week; followed by Central Qld with 15%. Pricing is still trending downwards within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray, with $30 being absolute top. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

North Qld Shepard avocado production for next week is forecast to be within a range of 220,000 to 230,000 trays expected from the region. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume starting to decline slightly with harvests within the range of 162,000 to 213,000 per week. Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins.

Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. All major supermarkets now have their 5 or 6 piece prepacks as well as their value 1kg nets filled with Shepards.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had a red hot ticket price of $1.49 per piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed at $1.90 ea whilst Coles in Qld had Shepards $1.90 each or their multibuy offer of 3 for $5.00 was extended through to Easter. It was also noted that the Maluma Hass, branded as Autumn Avocado’s marketed by Mackays, were on a number of Coles shelves also retailing at the same price as the Shepards ie $1.90 ea - fruit observed this week was very firm and a few pieces had sun blemish.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

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