Increase In Dollar Sales, Growth Of Premium Items Highlight Latest Retail FreshFacts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Weekly dollar sales rose and per store volume of fresh produce stayed fairly consistent in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period last year, according to the latest edition of FreshFacts® on Retail, the quarterly retail research report of the United Fresh Produce Association.

While a number of fresh produce categories experienced significant price increases in the first quarter of 2011, adding to much of the 4.8% dollar growth for produce, other categories such as premium items fared much better. Value-added produce and organic produce, for example, both experienced increases in dollar and volume sales.

The FreshFacts® on Retail report, produced in partnership with the Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.

Highlights of this quarter’s report include:

Increases for value-added fruits dollar and volume sales by 6.9 percent and 9 percent respectively
Gains of 8.4 percent in dollar sales and 7.5 percent in volume for value-added vegetables
Volume increases of 15 percent, 16 percent and 16.6 percent for berries, grapes and specialty fruits, respectively
For organic fruits, an increase of more than 23 percent in dollar sales, and more than 16 percent in weekly volume

Each FreshFacts® report also features a Quarterly Spotlight on one industry segment in particular. This quarter, increases in retail prices come under the microscope, as the section examines rising prices across the produce department, and their subsequent impact on sales. The report identifies that rising produce prices in Q1 2011 were the result of two distinct driving factors across the U.S. grocery channel: A resurgence of everyday low prices and a declining share of volume sold on promotion.

The complete FreshFacts® on Retail report can be downloaded free of charge to all United Fresh members ($50 for non-members) by clicking here. For more information about how to obtain the report, please contact Patrick Delaney, United Fresh communications manager, at 202-303-3400 ext. 417 or pdelaney@unitedfresh.org. For questions about specific data contained in the report, please contact Kelli Beckel at the Perishables Group at 773-929-7013.

Founded in 1998, the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization committed to meeting the public’s needs for an abundant supply of healthy, safe and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. The Foundation is dedicated to increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to children as a critical step in combating childhood obesity and launching a lifetime of healthy choices. To assist industry members in meeting these goals, the Foundation offers educational programs, leadership development, public outreach, and industry training through four different Centers — Center for Leadership Excellence, Center for Nutrition and Health, Center for Food Safety and Quality, and Center for Global Produce Sustainability. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.

Source: United Fresh Produce Association Foundation