Potato retail dollar sales increase 17.2% in Q4

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.2% but decreased in volume sales by 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared with the same period the previous year.

Despite a slight decrease in volume sales in the October through December period, volume sales remain above pre-pandemic levels, according to retail scan numbers from IRI for Potatoes USA.

All categories of potatoes increased in dollar sales, with the most significant occurring for frozen potatoes by 33.1%, followed by fresh potato sales at 20% and instant potatoes at 14.5%. Refrigerated potatoes were the only category to increase volume sales (3.3%), according to the release. The largest decline in volume during the last quarter of 2022 was instant potatoes (down 7.6%) and canned potatoes (down 4.9%). Volume sales for potatoes were down for all other categories in the store, with an average decline of 1.3%. 

Fresh potato dollar sales were up for all types except fingerling and purple, the release said. The most significant decrease in volume sales for the last quarter of 2022 were purple, white, and red potatoes, down 34.4%, down 10%, and down 9.3%, respectively. 

All pack sizes, except packages greater than 10 pounds, saw an increase in dollars. Volume sales for all pack sizes of 5 pounds or less increased, with the most significant growth in 5-pound bags (8.3%) and bags less than 2 pounds (3.8%), according to the release.

On average, consumers spent $2.15 per pound for potatoes at retail, which is less than the prior quarter’s average cost of $2.35 per pound. Amid the price increases, consumers still find potatoes to be an affordable product as dollar sales have continued to grow, and the volume of potatoes consumers purchase remains above levels in 2019.