During the third quarter of Potatoes USA’s Marketing Year 2022 (January-March 2022), potato sales increased in dollars by 7.2 percent but decreased in volume by 5 percent, compared to the same period in 2021.
Elevated prices in grocery stores led to an increase in dollar sales compared to 2021. Volume sales were below 2020 when panic buying started but remained higher than in 2019. Prices grew by 12.8 percent compared to 2021, averaging $2.02 per pound for total store potatoes.
With the large increase in dollars and decline in volume, unit sales are now included in the sales reports for all potato categories. Potato chips increased in dollars by 11.9 percent and declined slightly in volume by 0.6 percent. However, unit sales increased by 0.2 percent, showing a decline in potato chip package sizes. All categories showed an increase in dollar sales except for frozen potatoes. Frozen potatoes declined in dollars, volume and unit sales. On the opposite spectrum, canned potatoes increased in dollars, volume, and unit sales compared to the same period last year.
Fresh sales performed similarly to most potato categories with an increase in dollar sales and a decline in volume and unit sales. The fresh pack size categories have been updated to reflect a changing category. The 1-4 lb. category is now two separate categories: 1-<2 lb. and 2-4 lb. fresh potato pack sizes. The 1-<2 lb. pack sizes are the only category of fresh potatoes that increased in dollars, volume, and unit sales. Five-pound pack sizes, which make up 45 percent of the total volume sales, increased in dollars by 5.9 percent and declined in volume by 1.2 percent.
Yellow and white potatoes are the only two types of fresh potatoes that increased in dollars and volume sales. Yellow potatoes saw the largest increase in dollars by 16.3 percent and volume by 8.7 percent. Russet potatoes, which make up 57 percent of fresh volume sales, saw the second-largest price increase to purple potatoes; 13 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively. Russet dollar sales increased by 1.5 percent and declined in volume by 10.2 percent.
These figures are compiled by IRI. 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.
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