Retail Market Week 15 - 2022
/QUICKLINKS
Wishing you all a Happy Easter 🥑
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Wishing you all a Happy Easter 🥑 〰️
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
Last week we saw the total banana industry production lift slightly to 406K cartons, which represented an increase of just over 17K cartons on the week prior. The weather patterns are showing signs of change with slightly cooler mornings and peaks under 32C in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have been be a touch cooler across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.6- to 24.2C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of just 31.6C -within a range of 29.5 to 31.6C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions were again relatively dry with only the Tully region receiving 12.8mm and Innisfail receiving 21.4mm across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 14-15 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in our packshed though we continue to grade out some light scarring. As we are now in the autumnal season the weather will continue to gradually cool and we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks and months.
Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.49 to $2.99/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $12-$22 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well. Fruit at the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; as well as bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good; definitely more ready to eat fruit now, than eat later options.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas with little variance this week in comparison to the week prior and amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $2.49/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered fruit at $3.00-$3.50/kg depending upon location visited.
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 14 - 384,624 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 9% decrease ( or some 37,000 less cartons) on Week 13 -2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 68% of this; followed by Central Qld with 24.5%; then WA at 5.5% and the remaining 2% coming from Sunshine Coast.
· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 441,606 trays.
· It is forecast that a total of 325K trays will be despatched this week nationally, a little lighter with the impact of Easter public holidays,
All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.30ea . Hass, new season NQ fruit, were found at Woolworths stores selling these at $1.50-$1.80 per piece and Coles for $1.20, though there is a difference in size of fruit; whilst independents were selling larger class one NQ Hass for $2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $5 and loose Shepards at $0.99 cents each and a 4 piece prepack for $2.99 - depending upon variety/quality/size. Hass pricing remained steady with a top now of $18/tray and a range of $14 -$18/tray for premium. Shepard’s are only fetching a top of $10.00-$13.00/tray for premiums in the market; with class one Shepards’ back to $6-$9/tray and Bulks $7 to $15 depending upon grade and quality.
The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 17.6 to 31.6C with dry conditions which is great for picking.
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being a consistent offer across major supermarkets - the variation this week was noted in the sizing stocked by each banner. Fruit age for Shepards age ranged 13 to 15 days; whilst new season Hass tended to be around 8 days old. Both Woolworths stores and Coles stores are stocking NQ Autumn varieties of Hass as well as the green skin Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal in most cases. Woolworths offer the different varieties at different price points; whilst Coles are offering both varieties at the same price point.
In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Shepard avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea; Coles Qld had both NQ Shepards and new season Autumn Hass ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.30ea and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.50-$1.80ea, depending upon location. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. There was a greater proportion of Hass yielding to gentle pressure in comparison with Shepards in general.
AVOCADO SNAPSHOT
Left to Right: Top Woolworths Shepard and Woolworths Hass'; Bottom left -Aldi Shepard and Right -Coles Shepard Avocados
STOCK IN STORES
QUICKLINKS
BANANAS AT ALDI
ALDI GARDEN CITY
A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.49/kg - Neck injury and scarring common - a few clusters found to be spotting.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg, in hands customers had to pull apart.
ALDI MT GRAVATT EAST
A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg. approximately 60% of the display were slightly green - fruit was reasonably clean.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99. Display looked untidy with packaging disheveled.
ALDI COOPAROO
A full display of Cavendish priced at $2.49/kg. Poor display with some heavily spotting fruit; some clusters extremely dull and marked. Not enticing at all.
Lady Fingers exhibiting some bronzing and light marking priced at $5.99/kg.
BANANAS AT COLES
COLES GARDEN CITY
Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - a well presented display; some minor skin marking but generally good bloom. Kids banded clusters also ticketed at $3.00 ea.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Organic variety at $4.90/kg (the front section of this display was very dull and grey as if they had been kept in a fridge).
COLES MT GRAVATT EAST
Cavendish displayed at $3.00/kg - a predominance of semi colour fruit on this dispaly - a few clusters with slightly dull hue. Some light rub marking and minor scarring. Kid’s packs also at $3.00.
Red tips at $4.90/kg, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - both of these lines presented well and Organic variety (very green) at $4.90/kg.
COLES COOPAROO
Cavendish bananas, display priced at $3.50/kg. A presence of skin marking including, sap stains, neck injuries and superficial bruising observed. Again a few dull clusters throughout.
Red tips in stock at $4.90/kg, a few clusters at the front of the display that had minor skin marking and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.
BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS
WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY
Cavendish priced at $3.00/kg - fruit presented quite cleanly, odd cluster with scarring; definite eat now and eat later sections found on this display. Kids packs at $2.50ea. Did find a few clusters with crowns that show signs of age and superficial mould developing and a dullness to the skin hue of some. Display was nevertheless, neat.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg. Organic Variety at $4.50/kg. All these lines presented well.
WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT EAST
Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - small rub, light scar and neck damage - bloom was good. Kids packs at $2.50ea. Display was in need of a refill - plenty of fruit in the cartons on the floor, just not on the shelves.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg.
Red Tips priced at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $4.50/kg.
WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO
Display of Cavendish in single layer, needing a refill, were priced at $3.00/kg. Display was predominantly clean - a presence of minor scarring and rub.
Lady Fingers low in stock priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg. Organics were also in stock at $4.50/kg - odd cluster with neck injury.
AVOCADOS AT ALDI
ALDI GARDEN CITY
Count 25 Shepards from Simpson Farms and Delai’s supplied by Simpsons priced at $1.19 each - packed 25th; 30th March and 4th April so fruit age range was 9 - 19 days. Some lenticel damage on fruit, also some evidence of dehydration on a few pieces.
5 piece Shepard packs(supplied by Simpsons) introduced recently to the Aldi range (note new swing tag) priced at $4.49ea whilst the original 1kg Market Buy packs on special at $3.79ea were featured in this week’s Aldi catalogue. Also noted this week was the different netting colour used on both the Aldi 5 pack and their 1kg options.
ALDI MT GRAVATT EAST
Count 25 Shepards supplied from Simpson Farms were on display - priced at $1.19 each. Majority of fruit was quite heavily bruised/had significant skin marking.
This was the only avocado display in this store.
ALDI COOPAROO
Count 25 Shepards with supplies from Greenskins were on display and selling well - priced at $1.19 each. Packed date of 29th March so fruit age 15 days.
5 piece Shepard packs were ticketed at $4.49ea and 1kg Market Buy packs on special (and featured in the ALDI catalogue) at $3.79ea.
AVOCADOS AT COLES
COLES GARDEN CITY
Signage at entry to store with avocados as a feature.
Count 25 Shepard Avocados and Count 25 Autumn Hass supplied by various growers were presented on a table top display just inside the front store entry as well as on the third end, ticketed at $1.20ea. Packed dates range 25th - 30th March so fruit age range is 14 to 19 days. Nodule damager and a little bruising as well as some dehydration noted.
COLES MT GRAVATT EAST
On offer new season Shepards, from a mix of suppliers including Howe Farming, priced at $1.20ea and Autumn Hass also at $1.20ea. Presented on a table top display and on an end.
5 piece Shepard packs at $3.90ea and I’m Perfect 1kg packs at $4.90ea.
COLES COOPAROO
Two displays of loose Shepard Avocados and Autumn Hass at this store - ticketed at $1.20 ea - table top and first end opposite entry. Fruit was firm to yielding in terms of maturity.
AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS
WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY
Howe Farming and Greenskin Shepards and Purpleskin Hass were ticketed at $1.30 and $1.50ea (on special) respectively, displayed on A frame displays just inside the entrance to the produce department. A little rub and light lenticel noted on a couple of pieces. Hass were more forward and did not look as attractive. Packed on dates ranged 30th March to 4th April so age ranged 9 to 14 days.
5 piece packs priced at $5.00ea and 1kg packs at $5.00ea. Found 3 different BB date codes on the 1kg Odd Bunch stock - indicating daily stocks not fully clearing.
WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT EAST
Count 25 Purpleskin Hass Avocados for $1.80 each, some with superficial markings. Greenskin Shepard displayed on special at $1.30ea. The shepards presented well.
5 piece packs priced at $5.00ea and 1kg at $5.00ea.
WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO
A display of Count 18/20 Purpleskin Avocado Hass packed 30th March (13 days old) priced at $1.80 a piece and Greenskin Avocado Shepards priced at $1.30ea (these were selling well/low in stock). Both displays in need of a refill.
Both 5 piece packs and 1kg packs were priced at $5.00ea, however minimal stock of both.
