RETAIL POTATO SALES SOAR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023!

In the first quarter of 2023, the Potatoes USA Pulse Industry Update reported retail potato sales increased 16% even as volume decreased by 4.4% compared to last year’s same time span. Sales of frozen potatoes increased 41.9%, instant potatoes rose 16.5%, and deli prepared sides increased 2.1%. The most significant decrease in volume of sales in the first quarter of 2023 was in instant potatoes by 7.6% and refrigerated potatoes by 5.8%.

On average, fresh potatoes sold for $1.01 per pound reflecting an 18.7% cost increase from the prior year. White, fingerling and purple potatoes were the only fresh potato products to not realize an increase in sales and fresh yellow, petite and medley potatoes realized an increase in both dollar and volume sales. Apart from potato packs over 10 pounds, all pack sizes experienced an increase in sales. One-pound bags grew in sales by 4.3% and two-pound bags by 3.7% while ten and eight-pound bags declined 51.3% and 21.6% respectively.

To view the Potato USA Pulse in its entirety go here.