WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fresh produce dollar and volume sales saw larger increases in the second quarter of 2012 than the first, though average retail prices continued to fluctuate. Fruits saw an overall increase in prices while vegetables saw a decrease. Organic and value-added fruit and vegetable products also sustained significant dollar and volume growth compared to the second quarter last year, according to the latest edition of FreshFacts® on Retail, the quarterly retail research report of the United Fresh Foundation.
Between fruits and vegetables, fruits accounted for the most significant growth in produce dollar sales this quarter, with berries, cherries and avocados driving a 5.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Vegetables had an average retail price decrease of 2.7% during Q2 2012, contributing to a slight 1.4% decline in dollars and a 1.4% increase in volume sales.
The FreshFacts® on Retail report, produced in partnership with the Nielsen 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:
- Eight of the top 10 fruits and five of the top 10 vegetables posted dollar sales that exceeded Q2 2012.
- Berries, cherries and avocados were the primary drivers of both dollar and volume growth in the fruit category, and corn led the way in the vegetable category.
- Value-added fruits continued upward growth in dollar sales and price, up 9.2% and 9.0% respectively.
- Value-added vegetables increased weekly dollar and volume sales; this growth was relatively unaffected by retail price.
§ Organic produce had double-digit increases in both dollars and volume. Organic vegetables increased dollar sales nearly 15% and organic fruit increased dollar sales 20.3%.
Each FreshFacts® report also features a Quarterly Spotlight on an industry segment or notable trend. This quarter, Nielsen Perishables Group introduces Essence, a new tool that targets consumers based on ethnicity, affluence, presence of children, cooking behaviors and health and wellness lifestyles. The Spotlight examines the dominant shopper groups within value-added fruits and vegetables, and in which households value-added produce stands to gain the largest opportunities.
The completeFreshFacts® on Retail report can be downloaded free of charge for all United Fresh members ($50 for non-members) by clicking here. For more information about how to obtain the report, please contact Shannon Young, United Fresh education manager, at 202-303-3400 ext. 405 or syoung@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
