Jun 3, 2024Potato sales increase in first quarter of 2024 compared to previous year
U.S. retail sales volume and dollar sales of potatoes increased January-March 2024 compared with the same period last year, according to an analysis from consumer advisory company Circana.
Sales volume of potatoes increased 5.6% in the quarter and dollar sales increased 4.4%, reaching nearly $4.6 billion. All categories of potatoes increased in both volume and dollar sales, including:
- Fresh: Dollar sales increased 0.6%; volume sales increased 7.6%.
- Frozen: Dollar sales increased 10.5%; volume sales increased 3.3%.
- Chips: Dollar sales increased 3.3%; volume sales increased 1.7%.
The largest volume increases in January-March were for deli-prepared sides (7.8%) and fresh potatoes (7.6%).
Dollar sales of fresh potatoes were nearly $1.1 billion, a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Fresh sales volume increased for all types except red (minus-3.3%) and white (minus-3.1%). Purple saw the highest sales volume increase (18.9%), followed by medley (11.5%), yellow (11.2%) and russet (10.8%).
Russet and yellow potatoes, which make up 63% and 16% of fresh volume sales, respectively.
Dollar sales for fresh potatoes increased for purple (12.4%), medley (9%), yellow (8%), fingerling (3.4%), and petite (1.1%). Dollar sales decreased for red (minus-5.5%), white (minus-1.7%), and russet (minus-0.2%).
All pack sizes smaller than 10 pounds saw an increase in volume and dollar sales. The largest sales volume increase was for 8-pound bags (25.5%), while bags larger than 10 pounds saw a decrease in volume sales (minus-25.8%).
Circana compiled the data, released June 3 by Potatoes USA, by working directly with retailers.
