09 August 2023
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Potatoes USA reports promising upturn.
POTATO sales in the US increased 16.8% for July 2022 to June 2023, closing with a strong quarter (April through June) that saw retail dollar sales growth of 14.5% compared to the same period last year.
Potato USA, the national marketing and promotion board representing US growers and importers, reported that dollar sales reached $16.9 billion for the 52-week period, the highest in five years.
Although volume sales were down for the year (2.6 percent) and the quarter (3.3%), they remain 2.5% above pre-pandemic levels.
Retail prices increased for all potatoes for the full year by 19.9%, but as evidenced by the strength of sales, potatoes remain affordable for consumers with an average price of $2.36 per pound.
The April through June quarter showed similar results, with a price increase of 18.3% compared to the same period last year and an average price of $2.56 per pound.
All categories of potatoes increased in dollar sales for both the year and the quarter, including (year | quarter): Frozen from 34.8% to 39.3%,
canned from 19.1% to 33.9%, fresh from 16.5% to 12.4%.
For fresh potatoes, the average sales price for the 52-week period was $1.01/pound, a 19.8% increase from the previous year. Fresh dollar sales increased for all types except white, fingerling and purple potatoes. Yellow potatoes were the only member of the fresh category to grow in dollar (21.4%) and volume (7%) sales.
Russet potatoes, which make up 62% of all volume sales for the fresh category, saw dollar sales increase by 23.5% and volume decline by 3.3% for the year. Russet potatoes had the biggest year-over-year price increase in the fresh category.
All pack sizes except packages larger than 10 pounds saw an increase in dollar sales year-over-year. All bags five pounds or less grew in both dollar and volume sales for the period. Volume sales increases were very similar across three pack sizes.
Source: Potato USA
