The value of total store retail potato sales for 2018 increased by 2.1% over 2017, with total value $11.6 billion. The total volume declined 1.9% for the year based on IRI figures. The increase in value was paced by refrigerated sales up 5.3% and frozen up 4.1%. The decline in volume was led by fresh down 4.5%, even though the value of fresh sales were still up 1.8%. It is interesting to note that the year started very strong with both the value and volume of total sales up in Q1, this however led to the largest declines in Q2 with total volume down 4.5%.
The volume decline for fresh was driven almost exclusively by russets, off 7.7%, with reds also down slightly 0.7% and fingerlings down 2% in volume for the year. Increases were led by medleys up 21.3%, yellows up 5.3%, whites up 4% and purples up 18.9%. The only value declines were reds off -1.9% and fingerlings down -4.6%, with the value of russet sales actually up 0.5%.
For further details, click the purple button below to access the attached spreadsheets. These figures are based on IRI data. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of any information contained herein.
2017- 2018 IRI Retail Quarterly Data
