In response to demand for smaller potatoes in smaller bags, Houston-based MountainKing has acquired a packing facility dedicated exclusively to fingerlings and “baby” versions of yellow and red potatoes.
The new MountainKing facility in the south-central Colorado town of Hooper will package the company’s baby yellows, baby reds and combination baby medleys in 1.5-pound mesh bags, according to a news release. Fingerlings will be packed in 1.5- and 5-pound bags.
In the most recent 52-week reporting period, potato packages four pounds and lighter grew 5% in unit sales and 7% in dollar sales, according to IRI, a marketing research firm. Small bags of four pounds or lighter account for a quarter of all unit sales scanned. At $606 million, small packages are the second-largest dollar contributor to the category, according to the release.
MountainKing’s third Colorado facility allows the company to pack potatoes where they are grown, in the San Luis Valley, while expanding access to more U.S. markets. The facility also gives the Texas-based company the ability to combine smaller potatoes on mixer loads from its other Colorado packing sheds. The company is creating options and distribution hubs for customers that cannot order full truckloads.
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