U.S. retail dollar sales of potatoes increased double digits this summer, growing 16.8% from July 2022 to June 2023, according to a recent Circana (IRI) report.
What’s more, the second quarter of 2023 saw retail dollar sales growth of 14.5% compared with the same period in 2022. Dollar sales for the potato category reached $16.9 billion for the 52-week period, the highest in five years, the report said.
On the flip side, the report revealed that potato volume sales were down by 2.6% for the year and down 3.3% for the quarter; volume remains 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 report said.
The second quarter of 2023 showed similar results, with a price increase of 18.3% compared with the same period last year and an average price of $2.56 per pound.
Related news: 2022 season saw reduced acreage, higher prices for Washington and Oregon potatoes
According to Circana reporting data, all categories of potatoes — canned, fresh and frozen — increased in dollar sales for both the year and the quarter.
Despite a slight volume decrease, volume sales for the 52-week period remain 2.5% higher than pre-pandemic levels. The most significant volume sales declines for the period were a 5.2% decrease instant potatoes and a 3.1% loss in deli-prepared sides. That said, those categories make up just 13% of the total store volume for retail potato sales.
For fresh potatoes, the average sales price for the 52-week period was $1.01 per pound, a 19.8% increase from the previous year. Fresh dollar sales increased for all types except white, fingerling and purple potatoes, the report said.
More potato insights
Yellow potatoes were the only member of the fresh category to grow in dollar sales at a 21.4% increase and a 7% increase in volume 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, the report said. Russet potatoes had the biggest year-over-year price increase in the fresh category, though they still have an average sale price under $1 per pound.
All pack sizes except packages larger than 10 pounds saw an increase in dollar sales year-over-year. All bags 5 pounds or less grew in both dollar and volume sales for the period, according to the report.
