MARKET CITY WEEKLY UPDATE
WHOLESALE MARKET ACTIVITY REPORT | ISSUE 10 | 4 SEPT 2015
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THIS WEEK...
• The warmer weather was short
lived - the rain and cold affected
trading.
• Biggest movers: tomatoes,
oranges, sand strawberries.
• Tomatoes are still heavily
supplied as well as oranges. All
other fruit lines were steady.
• There are heavy supplies of
Eastern States capsicums and
sweet potatoes.
NEXT WEEK...
Trade is expected to improve as
soon as the warm spring weather
returns.
PICK OF THE WEEK
As the weather starts to warm up, strawberry
supplies will continue to increase. The
current heavy supplies arriving into the
market are all in good quality.
They are a low GI food, with antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory qualities. Strawberries
don’t just taste good, they do good.
These luscious berries are renowned for
their sweet, tart flavour and firm flesh.
HANDY HINT:
When selecting, look for clean, bright and
solid red colour. Green caps should still
be attached and the fruit should not look
bruised, crushed or overripe.
MERCHANDISING:
Keep display unit/shelves clean and product
at its best. Build impressive eye-catching
displays in high traffic locations to pull in
sales, afterall, they are a high impulse item
so by giving them maximum viability, you
will enhance sales.
FRUIT REPORT (prices quoted are indicative wholesale at Market City during the week)
POME FRUIT
Some excellent Galaxy apples was available from SA and TAS at $4-4.50/kg. Good supplies of all apple
varieties saw steady sales and prices. Nashi pears were still selling steadily. Although the local crop is
nearing the end, good supplies are coming in from VIC. Gold rush pears started their season at $2-3/kg as
was the price for most varieties. NZ fuyu persimmons were selling steadily at $25-30 per tray.
CITRUS
Top lines of navels sold as high as $30 per tray but still with a high proportion of lesser grade fruit selling for
$8-12 per crate. Hickson and Afourer mandarins and a few Emperor were available at $1-3.5/kg. Lemons
were firmer with local fruit selling to $50 and SA for $55 per carton. Limes firmed again with QLD fruit selling
at $65-70 per carton, and some good Ord River fruit sold for $6-7/kg.
BERRIES
Heavy supplies of strawberries saw the price ease to $1-1.30 per 250g punnet for XL size and $0.60-80
for medium sized fruit. Family packs sold for $3-3.40. The quality was very good. As the weather warms,
output will increase in the coming weeks, so prices should remain steady barring any violent spring storms.
Blueberries are in heavier supply and the price eased to $5.50-7 per 125g punnet. Raspberries were still
strong at $7-8 per punnet.
GRAPES
Scarlet Royal, a variety much like the Crimson seedless was available from the USA for about $10/kg. The
general quality and eating quality were quite good. Black seedless and white seedless were also available
at similar prices from the same source.
MELONS
The supply of rockmelons and honeydew shortened sharply and fruit was hard to find. Both lines were
selling up to $36 per tray. Seedless watermelon firmed to $1.20-1.40/kg du to chain store specials. Long
melons sold for $0.50-60/kg.
STONE FRUITS
Yellow and white fleshed peaches and nectarines from the USA were available at steady prices of $80-85
per carton of 9.5kg. Some large yellow and red fleshed plums were also being imported at similar pricing.
Some fruit out of Carnarvon is expected to be arriving soon.
TROPICAL FRUIT & NUTS
Bananas firmed a little with sales in the $22-30 range, and bagged fruit sold at $25-28 per crate. ECO
bananas from QLD were $45 per carton. The advent of NZ avocados and more local fruit on the market saw
prices of Hass avocados ease a little to $35-45 per tray and $50-60 for good sized bulk cartons. Longans
were selling for $10/kg. Early mangoes from the NT were selling well for $70-80 per tray and chutney
mangoes were selling for $5-7.50/kg. With more pineapples available in the market, prices eased. This report is provided by the Perth Market Authority (PMA) with information contributed from Market City wholesale tenants,
the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries WA and an independent researcher contracted by the PMA. Prices quoted are
indicative wholesale prices at Market City during the week. For more information, please contact Nicole Fernandes or Stephen
Ward at the PMA on 9456 9200.
VEGETABLE REPORT (prices quoted are indicative wholesale at Market City during the week)
FRUITING VEGETABLES & CURCUBITS
Tomatoes were still arriving in large quantity and selling for $10-16 with most sales at $12-14 per carton.
The price on the East coast is also low, preventing shipment east to ease the market. Roma tomatoes
firmed to $16-20 per carton with a handful of excellent fruit to $24. Capsicums were well supplied from
Carnarvon, QLD, SA and NZ. Red variety ranged from $3.50-6/kg with NZ fruit selling up to $10. Green
variety were steady at $3-4/kg. Yellow ranged from $4 (Carnarvon) and $11/kg (NZ). Eggplant was steady
at $1.50-2.50 each with the higher prices for excellent local hydro fruit. Local hydro continental cucumbers
were in better supply and quality. Prices firmed to $1.40-2.50 each. Geraldton fruit was steady at $0.60-1.20
each. Lebanese cucumbers were $7-9/kg for hydro locally grown. Geraldton product sold for $3-4/kg. Green
cucumbers were steady at $0.80-1.00 each. Zucchinis were still short in supply and firm at $1-1.30 each.
Courgettes and gold squash were steady and firm at $8-10/kg.
HERBS, LEAFY & BRASSICA VEGETABLES
Lettuce was still slow at $3-7 per crate and low demand. Likewise some excellent English spinach selling as
low as $0.30 per bunch. Silverbeet was good quality and steady at $0.80-1.50 per bunch. All Asian vegetables
were well supplied and selling steadily. Good supply of broccoli and cauliflowers saw prices remain steady
on good sales. Iced broccoli at $10-20 per carton and $0.60-1.00 per bunch. Cauliflowers selling for $1.202.00 each. Red and Savoy cabbage were still fairly short and steady at $3.50-5 each. Kale was well supplied
at $0.80-1.50 per bunch. New kalettes from SA, a cross between kale and Brussels sprouts sold for $3 per
punnet. Heavy supplies of basil form Carnarvon saw the price steady at $5-8/kg with some excellent local
glasshouse product at $10/kg. Coriander was steady at $4-7/kg and all other herbs were steady and well
supplied.
ROOT & BULB VEGETABLES
Heavy supplies of Queensland sweet potato are on the market with prices from $20-36 per carton. A fair
percentage of what is available is of lesser quality. Local garlic has started and early supplies are selling as
stalked product at about $1.25-1.50 per stalk. Red onions firmed to $17-20 per bag. USA white onions were
steady at $30-35/11.3kg bag. Flat salad onions started at $1 each. All other root vegetables were steady and
good quality with a strong demand for beetroot as its popularity escalates. Potatoes were steady in supply
and quality. Kohl Rabi was plentiful at $0.80-1.20 each with mainly the green variety available. Fennel bulbs,
both local and Eastern States supply was selling for $1.1.60 each. Celeriac was well supplied at $2-4 each
from local growers.
LEGUMES & OTHER VEGETABLES
Stringless beans were available from several sources and ranged from $3-4/kg for machine picked, and
$6-7 for handpicked. Kentucky Blue beans and Runner beans from Carnarvon were still firm at $8-10/kg.
A few Borlotti beans were coming through at $10-12/kg. Flat and snake beans from the NT were $10/kg.
Victorian asparagus is arriving in good volume at $14-15/kg. The supply from Carnarvon and the South West
is building as the season takes off and prices are similar. Celery was steady at $1-1.60 per bunch and the
demand was low. Rhubarb was more plentiful at $3-5/kg. Spring onions were slow at $0.30-0.80 per bunch.
Leeks were steady as was sweetcorn.
END OF VEGETABLE REPORT
This report is provided by the Perth Market Authority (PMA) with information contributed from Market City wholesale tenants,
the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries WA and an independent researcher contracted by the PMA. Prices quoted are
indicative wholesale prices at Market City during the week. For more information, please contact Nicole Fernandes or Stephen
Ward at the PMA on 9456 9200.
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HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING
• High visibility clothing must be worn in all areas of Market
City. This includes the CTA, warehouses, buyers parking
bays and all common areas.
• A day visibility best must be worn during daylight hours
and a day/night visibility must be worn at night.
• High visibility vests must comply with Australian Standard
AS/NZ 4602:1999 for day and night time use.
Wearing high visibility clothing such as the appropriate
safety vests on site will provide protection for site users
from impact accidents, by improving visibility.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Local & from around the world
Primo Moraitis products are now available for
sale at WA Farm Direct, Market City.
Salad Fresh and Mrs Crocket’s products are made right here in
WA from the finest local produce grown by WA Farmers and was
launched to the market this week at WA Farm Direct.
Aldi opens up more on its Australian expansion plans
Aldi supermarkets have revealed plans for up to 120 new Australian
stores. Discussion regarding new Aldi stores was sparked when
The Australian newspaper reported that a supplier’s letter disclosed
plans by Aldi to open 40 new stores on the Eastern seaboard over
the following year. Aldi has since released a statement saying it
plans to open 65 new stores in 2016. This includes its already
announced 20 stores for South Australia and 20 for Western
Australia, as well as 25 new stores for the Eastern seaboard.
The Aldi spokesperson added that its long-term expansion
plans will see up to 120 new stores opened. “Aldi’s popularity
with consumers and success on the Eastern seaboard has
given us the confidence to invest more than $700 million in our
expansion into Western Australia and South Australia, where
our long-term expansion plans will see up to 120 new stores,”
said Aldi’s spokesperson. “While we are eager to bring the Aldi
difference to more shoppers across the country, store openings
will be dependent on site acquisitions, planning approvals and
construction timelines.”
Source: http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2015/09/02/aldi-opens-up-more-onits-australian-expansion-plans.html
Banana crate trials a win for the industry
Salad Fresh sources leafy vegetables from growing partners through
WA and transforms them into ready-to-eat packaged salads.
Whether is be creamy pasta, potato salad or coleslaw salads you
are after, Mrs Crockets has the range to entice your customers in
either bulk Deli serve or pre-packed convenience.
Available now at WA Farm Direct.
Recent trials by CHEP Australia in the use of reusable plastic crates
as an alternative to cardboard cartons for the banana industry
have returned positive results for growers and other members of
the supply chain.
Early estimates show a 10 to 15 per cent cost saving, while also
reducing damage to the fruit when using crates compared with
cartons.
In early 2015, more than 200 crates were used to pack bananas at
a trial site in northern NSW, with wholesaler PW Chew managing
transport, ripening and distribution. A combination of Lady Finger
and Cavendish bananas were used in the trial. Fruit sizes ranged
from 15kg XL, 13kg XL and 13kg large.
Pooled solutions provider, CHEP Australia, has been developing
and trialling a reusable plastic crate in collaboration with the
Australian banana industry over the past three years. The current
design features smooth walls and a waved base to minimise
damage to bananas, improved ventilation and a footprint to suit
Australian pallets with six crates per layer. The CHEP pooling
system also allows for crates to be returned for washing - to a
HACCP level if required - giving a hygienic solution for the industry
and less overall wastage in cardboard.
The next phase in the trials of the plastic crates will be to conduct
studies in northern Queensland to assess the crate performance
over longer distances to the major capital cities. The next round of
trials will commence this month.
For the full story:
http://www.freshplaza.com/article/145034/AU-Banana-crate-trials-a-winfor-the-industry?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=ed5&utm_
source=s1
GREAT GREENGROCER
marketing support
campaign
Retailers that have joined the fight for flavour:
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Bassendean Fresh
Belmont Market
Bunbury Farmer’s Market
Cannington Fresh Market
Daily Fresh Choice
Di Chiera Bros Continental Store
Domenic’s Fruit and Vegetables
Drovers Garden Glow Fruit & Veg
Erica’s Shed
Farmgate Produce
Farmhouse Fresh
Five Seasons Fresh
Forrest Road Fresh
Fresh Provisions
Geraldton Fruit and Vegetable Supply
Gilbert’s Fresh Market
Gwelup Fruits & More
Hawthorn Fresh
Hills Continental Market
Give your business a boost!
Join the Great Greengrocer marketing Campaign.
Nicole Fernandes
Marketing & Communications Manager, PMA
9456 9200 | [email protected]
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Hills Fresh
Limes Fresh Farmers Market
Marmion St Fresh & Gourmet
Morley Market Fresh
Midland Fresh
Mr Fresh Carine
Napoli Mercato
Newy’s Vegie Patch
North Perth Growers Market
Ocean Keys Fresh
Peaches Fresh Food Market
Rockingham Fresh
Scutti - A Taste of Europe
Swan View Fruit & Veg
The Fruit Basket
The Good Grocer
The Herdsman
The New Benara Fresh Market
Tony Ale Fruit Market
Town and Country Fruit and Veg
Willetton Fresh Market