US Retail consumers spent more on potatoes

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales but decreased in volume sales from July 2021 - June 2022, compared to the same timeframe a year ago. As consumer prices increased by 10.5%, retail dollar sales increased by 5.7%.

The total volume sales decreased 4.4% from the same time a year ago, but they remained above volume sales prior to the pandemic. Dollar sales have continuously increased over the last five years. Volume sales have ranged between 6.7 to 7 billion pounds of potatoes sold at retail.

All retail potato categories increased in dollar sales and declined in volume sales. Although, all categories, except for deli-prepared sides, have a higher volume than before the pandemic.
 

Potato Retail Categories (Retail Sales from Jule 1 2017 - June 30, 2022.)(Courtesy: Information Resources, Inc. (IRI))

Frozen potato sales account for 15% of potato sales and 18% of potato volume across the store. Frozen potatoes increased 2.8% in dollars and decreased 4.3% in volume. Straight-cut frozen fries make up the largest volume share of the frozen potato category, as seen in the chart below.
 

Frozen Potato Sales (Retail Sales from Jule 1 2017 - June 30, 2022.)(Courtesy: Information Resources, Inc. (IRI))

Fresh potato sales increased by 3% in dollars but fell by 5.6% in volume. The price per pound for fresh potatoes increased by 9.1%, but the average cost is still under USD 1. Most fresh potato types increased in dollar sales but declined in volume sales, except for one type: yellow potatoes.

Yellow potatoes increased by 12% in dollars and by 4.6% in volume sales. However, russet potatoes remain the top volume share among all fresh potato types at 59%. Fresh potato sales account for 23% of retail store sales and 28% of volume sold.
 

Fresh Potato Sales by variety type (Retail Sales from July 1 2017 - June 30, 2022.) (Courtesy: Information Resources, Inc. (IRI))

When looking at fresh package types, micro/steamer and tray potatoes are the only two categories that increased in dollar and volume sales. Micro/steamer potatoes increased by 4.5% in dollars and by 2.6% in volume, while tray potatoes increased by 8.4% in dollars and by 1% in volume sales.

The only category to increase in dollar and volume sales for pack sizes was one to under two pounds, which grew by 9.2% in dollars and 2.4% in volume. All pack sizes eight pounds or greater saw the most significant volume sales decline but also had the largest price increases.