Third quarter retail report shows sales gains
Showing nearly $16 billion in fresh produce retail sales in the third quarter, the latest edition of the United Fresh Produce Association’s FreshFacts on Retail report has been released.
The report is free to United Fresh members and costs $50 for non-members, according to United Fresh.
The report showed that retail fresh produce sales in the third quarter increased 2.7%, while volume was up 1.4% compared with year-ago performance.
Among fruit commodities showing sales increases in the third quarter, FreshFacts reported sales increases compared with the same quarter last year for:
- Strawberries, up 5.9%;
- Avocados, up 4.5%;
- Blueberries, up 10.5%;
- Peaches, up 4.5%; and
- Mandarins, up 17.3%.
The report said apples, bananas and cherries suffered sales declines compared with a year ago.
Among vegetable commodities, FreshFacts reported sales gains compared with the third quarter last year for nine out of ten leading vegetables. Only lettuce was off compared with a year ago, down 1%.
Top gainers included:
- Broccoli, up 12.5%;
- Packaged salads, up 4.7%;
- Bell peppers, up 4%; and
- Onions, up 2.9%.
The third quarter FreshFacts report also include category spotlight coverage for onions, peppers, and oranges. The report also looks at value-added produce and organic sales.
