QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

🍌SUPPLY UPDATE

National Banana transport figures for week 9 were a total of 469,484 cartons harvested which was 3% down on the week prior (-14,700 ctns). Weather patterns in the major growing regions were as follows: Temperatures in the far north have seen early A.M. temperatures fall within a range of 15.5 - 22.3 C across all major growing regions; and day time temperatures still ranging 28.7 - 35.2 C. Rainfall in North Qld banana growing regions this week was light as follows: Mareeba receiving 0mm for the week; and Innisfail receiving a total of a 3.4mm; combine this rather dry weather with the heat it certainly has been hard going on farm.

Quality is consistent with mostly good colour and minimal skin marking. Supermarkets located in the SE Qld metro and coastal areas this week were smashed by panic buying due to the threat of Cyclone Alfred in this region, some stores/regions worse than others with the situation worsening the closer Alfie came. Stores are expected to reduce trading hours and close when the Cyclone is expected to hit.

Quality is consistent with mostly good colour and minimal skin marking. Some stores this week had minimal to no stock as panic buying occurred due to Cyclone Alfred in QLD.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish bananas were as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $4.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.50/kg in the stores visited.

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BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

🥑SUPPLY UPDATE

In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:

· Week 9, 2025 - The industry experienced a 10.94% increase in production on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 451,836 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 49,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 8, 2025 production.

Production across the country saw NQ still confidently leading in production - accounting for 72.61% of the total volume, followed by surprisingly WA/NT accounting for a further 14.56%, then Central Queensland accounting for 11.44%, and lastly Central NSW with 1.39% of the total production for the week.

· It is forecast that a total of some 433,000 tray equivalents will be dispatched this week (Week 10) nationally, with the majority of these being new season Shepard!! Production for the next three week period thereafter, is expected to fall within the range of 467K-489K tray equivalents per week. Market pricing has weakened slightly this week, with main sales of premium fruit in the range of $35-$38/tray - if it is real glamour, a few lines are still pulling up to $40/tray, but these are few. Class one trays are fetching $25-$30/tray.

In terms of Avocado retailing in the major supermarkets in Qld this week we saw relatively stable shelf prices as follows - Aldi’s Hass this week shelf tickets at $2.49 each; Coles Qld stores visited had Hass avos at $2.90ea or 2 for $5.00, and Woolworths Qld with both Shepard and Hass at $2.90ea. SE Qld store trade has been slammed this week as people prepare for the threat of Cyclone Alfred with some stores barely getting the stock unloaded and on shelf and then within a matter of hours; many lines are sold out or only available in minimal supply. We are trying to manage our stock, and relocate stock that is in flood prone warehouses to higher ground to ensure it stays fresh and dry. We are working closely with our retail partners, ripener’s and transporters to best manage the days ahead.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass; Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados in Queensland stores

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

🍌Bananas at Woolworths

🥑Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI FAIRFIELD

Cavendish Bananas priced at $4.49/kg.
Havana Bananas priced at $3.99/kg.
NO STOCK - due to panic buying - cyclone meant to hit Brisbane late Thursday 6th March but due to its slow movement didn’t hit till late Friday 7th March with all stores closed and remaining closed until Sunday 9th March.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas priced at $4.49/kg. ONE singular banana left!! - due to panic buying - cyclone meant to hit Brisbane late Thursday 6th March

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish Bananas priced at $4.49/kg.
Havana Bananas at $3.99/kg.
Again no stock of either variety!!!

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish on display $4.50/kg. Kids packs at $4.50ea.
Red Tips $5.90/kg. Lady Fingers $6.90/kg.
All varieties needing restocking to some degree.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish on display $4.50/kg. Kids packs at $4.50ea.
Lady Fingers $6.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.90/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish on display $4.50/kg. Kids packs at $4.50ea. This store visited at 9.30am on Wednesday - upon speaking with staff, days orders arrived and up on shelf for trade from 7.30am and virtually sold out of most lines in the fresh produce department!
Red Tips $5.90/kg. Lady Fingers $6.90/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.
Absolutely no stock of bananas at this Coles store, and bare shelves for many other fruits and veg!! - panic buying strikes again! It has been 50 years since SE Qld (Brisbane) has experienced a Cyclone.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Cavendish priced at $4.90 or $5/kg? Two lots of signage. Appropriately positioned in ‘Eat Now’ and ‘Eat Later’. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.90/kg. Lady Fingers at $8.00/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $4.90/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Very low stock.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish priced at $4.50/kg. Appropriately positioned in ‘Eat Now’ and ‘Eat Later’. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.90/kg. Lady Fingers at $8.00/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.