Blueberries – With the rabbiteye season upon us, we are in a holding pattern with the price for Blueberries. When the increase in volume starts, it will come on quickly, and we expect price to drop in line with the increased production. Weather for Northern NSW will continue to pose some problems this week with a broad lower pressure system sweeping along the eastern seaboard, and winds coming off the Tasman and Coral Seas will bring moisture-laden air, creating widespread showers and thunderstorms across the week. With this in mind, we are expecting the same pricing and volume for the current week. Victorian production of Southern Highbush varieties is now in full swing, whilst others are yet to get going. Production of premium fruit from the region has been good, and demand from retail has also been positive. Western Australia has seen the full effects of El Nino and a Positive Indian Ocean Dipole, with temperatures and winds that have been extreme, to say the least. Below is a chart highlighting the different temperatures that have been above 31 degrees for eight days straight when historical averages are closer to 27-28 degrees. Luckily, most production has moved south, and the weather has been much kinder.
Strawberries – Similar to Blueberries, we expect this week’s production to be impacted by wet weather. Since the warmer weather at the start of the month, wet and cooler conditions have seen the early production hold back somewhat. Next week is expected to be much warmer, and we expect production to kick off again. Tasmanian volumes are still light but are also expected to kick off in line with Victoria next week. Production in south WA is also in full swing, and we expect solid volumes through to Xmas with some nice quality fruit coming through. However, the increased production from the south has not offset the volume from the northern growing regions, which have struggled with the weather noted above, and we expect prices to hold in the coming week.
RUBUS – Volumes continue to hold strong from the northern growing regions (SEQ and Northern NSW), whilst VIC/TAS grower’s volumes continue to increase, putting significant pressure on pricing as their volumes overlap. The demand for raspberries has been good; however, this has been offset by the additional volume needed to drive a $3.00 retail store across the East Coast (also likely in NSW for 170g and 125g). Blackberries are also expected to continue this week at $3.00. However, with Raspberry retail prices coming down, we expect there will be a bit more pressure on Blackberry demand as they will be the equal lowest price berry in the category.
The next few weeks will pose some new challenges, with all berries and cherries being available in abundance, leading into Christmas more so than we have ever seen in the past. With consumer spending expected to tighten in the next two weeks, demand will come under pressure, and if we see mid-week price changes, we will ensure that we communicate them as they occur via updates.
