Aug 4, 2023

Potato retail sales, prices see double-digit increases in year

U.S. retail dollar sales of potatoes increased 16.8% from July 2022 to June 2023, reaching $16.9 billion for the 52-week period, according to a new analysis.

Retail prices increased 19.9% for the year, according to the analysis by consumer advisory company Circana, and averaged $2.36 per pound. From April to June 2023, prices increased 18.3% from the same period in the previous year to $2.56 per pound.

Volume sales dropped by 2.6% for the year and 3.3% for the quarter but remained 2.5% above pre-pandemic levels.

Frozen led an increase in dollar sales for all categories of potatoes, growing 34.8% for the year and 39.3% for the quarter. Canned potato sales grew 19.1% and 33.9%, respectively, while fresh potato sales grew 16.5% and 12.4%.

The analysis found the most significant volume sales declines in instant potatoes (minus-5.2%) and deli-prepared sides (minus-3.1%). Those categories accounted for 13% of total retail volume.

The only category with a year-over-year dollar and volume increase was canned potatoes.

Fresh dollar sales increased for all types except white, fingerling and purple potatoes as the average sales price for the year increased 19.8% to $1.01 per pound. Yellow potatoes saw the only increase in both dollar (21.4%) and volume (7%) sales.

Russet potatoes, which accounted for 62% of all volume sales for the fresh category, saw the biggest year-over-year price increase at 27.7%, to 83 cents per pound. Dollar sales increased by 23.5% while volume declined by 3.3% for the year.

All pack sizes except packages larger than 10 pounds saw an increase in dollar sales year-over-year, while all bags 5 pounds or less grew in both dollar and volume sales. The most significant volume sales declines for the year came in bags larger than 10 pounds (minus-49.1%) and 8-pound bags (minues-21.7%).

Circana complies figures by working directly with retailers.