IRI data for the first quarter of the marketing year (July through September 2019) showed success with dollars and volume for total potato sales at retail. Total dollar sales increased by 2.6% and volume increased by 1.1%. Potato chips, frozen potatoes, and refrigerated potatoes increased in sales volume. Refrigerated potatoes saw a 7.3% lift in dollar sales and a 5.6% lift in volume sales, the largest for any category. Dehydrated potatoes, canned potatoes, and deli-prepared sides declined in sales volume. Deli-prepared sides declined in both dollar sales by 1.0% and volume sales by 1.9%.
Fresh potato sales increased in dollar sales by 2.0%. Volume sales for fresh potatoes were nearly flat but declined by 0.3% during the first quarter. Red potatoes were the main driver in the decline in fresh potato sales volume. Dollar sales declined by 1.8%, and volume sales declined by 15.2% for fresh red potatoes. Russet sales volume increased, but dollar sales were down due to a 1.6% decrease in the price per pound. Yellow, white, and medley fresh potatoes saw an increase in both dollar and volume sales.
See the attached Total Potato Sales and Fresh Potato Sales reports for further details. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of any information contained herein. Please reach out to retail@potatoesusa.com with any questions.
