Potato sales are up in 2022 but volume down slightly
All potato retail sales increased by 14.4% in 2022 but fell in volume by 1.5%, according to statistics published by Potatoes USA and compiled by IRI.
Despite a slight decrease in volume sales, volume sales remain 3.7% above pre-pandemic levels, according to a news release.
All categories of potatoes increased in dollar sales, with four potato categories rising by double digits. In addition to increasing dollar sales, refrigerated and canned increased volume sales by 0.7% and 2.8%, respectively.
The most significant decline in volume for 2022 was in deli-prepared sides, down by 6.6%. Volume sales for potatoes were down for all other categories of potatoes in the store, with an average decline in volume sales of 1.5%, according to the release.
Fresh potato trends
For 2022, fresh potato dollar sales were $3.8 billion in 2022, up 15.2% from 2021, up 8.5% from 2020 and up 36% from 2019.
Fresh potato volume sales in 2022 were 4.04 billion pounds, down 1.2% from 2021, down 12% from 2020, but up 1% from 2019.
The average fresh potato price per pound was 93 cents per pound in 2022, up 16.5% from 2021, up 19% from 2020 and up 27% from 2019.
Variety variables
IRI reported that 2022 retail scan numbers showed fresh potato dollar sales were up for all types except purple potatoes, which declined in dollars and volume. Yellow potatoes had the most significant increase in dollars (23.8%) and were one of two categories to increase in volume (8.5%), followed by the "all other" category (2.4%). Purple potato volume decreased by 31.6%, followed by a 7% reduction for red potatoes and a 5.2% drop for white potatoes.
All pack sizes, except packages greater than 10 pounds, saw an increase in dollars.
The volume of sales of 1-pound to less than 2-pound bags and 5-pound bags increased by 0.9% and 5.6%, respectively. These two pack sizes were the only ones to grow in dollars and volume sales, according to the release.
Russet fresh potato sales in 2022 totaled $1.88 billion, or 50% of total fresh potato sales. Sales of russet fresh potatoes were up 9.5% over 2021, according to the data.
Russet fresh volume sales totaled 2.5 billion pounds in 2022, accounting for 63% of retail fresh potato volume. That sales number was down 1.3% compared with 2021. The average price for fresh russet potatoes was 74 cents per pound, up 21.1% from 2021.
Red potato sales totaled $621 million, or about 16% of total fresh potato sales. Red potato sales were up 7.3% in 2022.
Red potato volume in 2022, at 520 million pounds, accounted for 13% of all fresh potato volume. Volume of red potato sales was down 7.2% from 2021. The 2022 average red potato price per pound, at $1.19 per pound, was up 15.7% from 2021.
Fresh white potato sales in 2022 totaled $177 million, accounting for about 5% of fresh sales. Fresh white potato sales were up 6.8% compared with 2021.
Total fresh white potato volume was 223 million pounds, in 2022, or 6% of fresh potato volume. 2022 fresh potato volume was down 5.2% from 2021. The average white potato price for 2022 was 79 cents per pound, up 12.6% from 2021.
Fresh petite potato sales in 2022 totaled $334.1 million, or about 9% of fresh potato sales in 2022. Petite potato sales were up 3.5% compared with 2021.
The volume of fresh petite potatoes sold totaled 138 million in 2022 — or 3% of the total fresh potato volume — a decline of 2.9% compared with 2021. The average price per pound for petite potatoes in 2022 was $2.42 per pound, up 6.6% compared with 2021.
Fresh medley potatoes sold in 2022 totaled $90.1 million, or about 2% of fresh potato sales. Sales of fresh medley potatoes were up 4.8% for the year, according to IRI data.
The volume of medley potatoes totaled 41.3 million pounds, or 1% of the total fresh potato volume. The volume of medley potatoes sold was down 1.4% compared with 2021. The average price per pound for medley potatoes in 2022 was $2.18 per pound, up 6.4% from 2021.
Accounting for about 0.1% of total fresh potato sales, fingerling potato sales were $17.2 million in 2022, down 20.8% compared with 2021.
The volume of fingerling potatoes totaled 6.2 million pounds in 2022, down 3.6% compared with 2021. The average price per pound for fingerling fresh potatoes was $2.77 per pound, up 5.2% compared with 2021.
Also accounting for far less than 1% of total fresh potato sales, purple potato sales in 2022 totaled $2.3 million, down 21% compared with 2021. At 724,000 pounds sold, purple potato volume was down 32%. The price per pound for purple potatoes was $3.20 per pound, up 15.8% from 2021.
