Jun 6, 2023

Analysis finds potato sales up by dollar but down by volume in early 2023

A new analysis shows that potato retail sales increased 16% in dollar sales while declining in volume by 4.4% for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same time frame in 2022.

Despite the decrease, volume sales remain above pre-pandemic levels, according to figures compiled by Circana, a consumer behavior advisor. The figures, for January, February and March 2023, were compiled by working directly with retailers.

All categories of potatoes increased in dollars sales, with frozen potatoes pacing the pack at 41.9%. Instant potatoes were second at 16.5% and fresh potatoes third at 12.7%.

Deli-prepared sides were the only category to increase volume sales, growing 2.1%. Instant potatoes saw the largest volume decline at 7.6%, while refrigerated potatoes dropped 5.8%.

Dollar sales climbed for all types of fresh potatoes except white, fingerling, and purple potatoes.

Fresh yellow, petite, and medley potatoes grew in both dollar and volume sales.

The average sales price per pound for fresh potatoes for the analyzed period was $1.01, an 18.7% increase from the prior year.

All pack sizes, except packages greater than 10 pounds, saw an increase in dollars. One- to less than two-pound bags were the only category to grow in dollars and volume, at 4.3% and 3.7%, respectively.

The biggest volume sales declines occurred in greater than 10-pound bags, which fell 51.3%, and 8-pound bags, which fell 21.6%.