Retail potato sales have soared, increasing 10.4 percent in dollar sales and 9.3 percent in volume sales between July 1, 2019 and May 19, 2020, according to IRI.
All potato categories across the retail store, except deli-prepared sides, increased in dollar and volume sales. Fresh, frozen, dehydrated, and canned potatoes saw double-digit increases in both dollar and volume sales. Dehydrated potatoes had the largest increase in dollar and volume sales as dollar sales increased by 22 percent and volume sales increased by 15.2 percent. Many retailers removed parts of their deli-prepared sections since the beginning of March, contributing to the 4.7 percent decline in dollar sales and 7.5 percent decline in volume sales for that category.
Fresh potato sales increased in dollars and volume at retail for the timeframe. Fresh potato dollar sales increased 13.5 percent and volume sales increased 9 percent. All fresh potato types, except for reds and fingerlings, increased in volume sales. Fingerling potatoes were the only category that decreased in dollar sales by 4.9 percent. All pack sizes showed double-digit growth in dollar sales and volume sales. Bagged and bulk potatoes make up 98 percent of all potatoes sold in-store, both fresh pack types increased in dollar and volume sales.
These figures are compiled by IRI for Potatoes USA.