Yellow, petite potatoes see retail growth
Yellow and petite potatoes were up in dollar and volume sales from July through September this year compared with the same quarter a year ago, according to a report on fresh potato sales from Potatoes USA.
The report said conventional fresh potato sales totaled $693.8 million in the quarter, down 4.7%. Organic sales were $40.9 million, down 1.8%.
While most fresh potato pack sizes were up in both dollars and volume compared with 2019, the report said 1-pound to 4-pound bags and 8-pound bags were up in dollars compared with 2020.
In addition, the report said consumers purchased more micro-steam packaging and tray packs of potatoes from July through September this year compared with a year ago.
The report said July through September fresh potato sales tallied $737.1 million, down 4.5% compared with a year ago. Volume sales were 837.39 million pounds, down 8.1% from a year ago. The average price in the quarter was 88 cents per pound, up 3.9% from a year ago.
By package type, compared with a year ago, the report found:
- 1- to 4-pound bags tallied $200.2 million, up 3.3%;
- 5-pound bags: $253.5 million, down 7.5%;
- 8-pound bags: $28.2 million, up 3.6%;
- 10-pound bags: $76.8 million, down 13%;
- Greater-than 10-pound bags: $12.3 million, down 2%; and
- All other: $14.8 million, down 5.6%.
- Bulk: $128.3 million, down 7.3%;
- All Bags: $550.4 million, down 4.6%;
- Single-wrapped: $11.01 million, down 5.4%;
- Micro-steam: $14.35 million, up 4.9%;
- Tray: $15.8 million, up 10.9%; and
- Multi-wrap: $1.8 million, down 48.7%.
By variety, the report said sales for the quarter were:
- Russet potatoes: $324.4 million, down 7.1%;
- Red potatoes: $140.7 million, down 8.7%;
- Yellow potatoes: $115.2 million, up 1%;
- White potatoes: $40.2 million, down 13.3%;
- Petite: $80.6 million, up 12.6%;
- Medley: $21.55 million, up 1.4%;
- Fingerlings: $4.02 million, down 5.8%;
- Purple: $638,848, down 15.2%; and
- All other: $9.7 million, down 5.7%.
