Potato sales at retail soar in the US

Retail potato sales soar, increasing 10.4% in dollar sales and 9.3% in volume sales between July 1, 2019, and May 19, 2020, according to IRI. All potato categories across the retail store, except deli-prepared sides, increased in dollar and volume sales, according to a report by Potatoes USA.

Fresh, frozen, dehydrated, and canned potatoes saw double-digit increases in both dollar and volume sales. Dehydrated potatoes had the largest increase in dollar and volume sales as dollar sales increased by 22% and volume sales increased by 15.2%.

Many retailers removed parts of their deli-prepared sections since the beginning of March, contributing to the 4.7% decline in dollar sales and 7.5% decline in volume sales for that category.

Fresh potato sales increased in dollars and volume at retail for the timeframe. Fresh potato dollar sales increased 13.5% and volume sales increased 9%. All fresh potato types, except for reds and fingerlings, increased in volume sales.

Fingerling potatoes were the only category that decreased in dollar sales by 4.9%. All pack sizes showed double-digit growth in dollar sales and volume sales.

Bagged and bulk potatoes make up 98% of all potatoes sold in-store, both fresh pack types increased in dollar and volume sales.