Avocado sales strong during Q3 holidays

The Hass Avocado Board reports that the weeks of the Father’s Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays accounted for $180 million in avocado retail sales this year.

The weeks ending June 21, July 5 and Sept. 6 all saw four-year highs in dollar and volume sales, according to HAB’s latest Avocado Holiday Retail Recap.

Lower prices played a role; the national average avocado price for Father’s Day was down 17%, the Fourth of July average down 26% and the Labor Day average down 20%.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day sales were $61.6 million, up from $56.3 million in 2019, as volume sales increased from 41.6 million units to 55.1 million. Seven of eight regions saw increased dollar sales, including double-digit growth in the Great Lakes, Northeast, Midsouth and South Central.

All regions saw volume growth in excess of 20%. The Plains region saw a 68% increase, the Midsouth a 40% jump and the South Central a 38% spike.

Fourth of July

Fourth of July sales were $64.7 million, up from $62.3 million in 2019, with volume having bounced back from 41.8 million units to 58.7 million.

Six of eight regions had dollar sales growth, though four of those six had growth of 3% or less. The Northeast saw dollar sales grow 16%, while Midsouth sales grew 7%.

Volume sales were up significantly, at least 35%, in all regions.

Labor Day

Labor Day sales held steady at $53.7 million, the same as 2019, while volume sales grew from 42.6 million units to 53.6 million.

The West, California, Southeast and Northeast regions showed dollar sales growth, while the Plains, South Central, Great Lakes and Midsouth regions showed declines.

Volume sales were up 15% or more over 2019 in all regions.