The weather might be warming up [well, in Australia that is, not here in Canada...PP] but that isn’t stopping Aussie consumers tucking in to a hearty serve of mashed potato, according to the latest wave of the industry-funded Potato Tracker project.
The proportion of consumers preparing mashed spuds at home increased from 72 per cent to 76 per cent in the past month, according to respondents to the November wave of the project, which probes consumer attitudes to potatoes.
“While mashing proved the most popular way consumers prepared potatoes in the November report, we also saw an increase in the popularity of roasting, up to 69 per cent, steaming, up to 25 per cent, and stewing, up to 25 per cent,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Tamara Ungar.
How Australians prepare their potatoes
“Boiling (56 per cent), baking (54 per cent) and microwaving (28 per cent) also proved popular cooking methods, despite minor decreases in the proportion of consumers employing these techniques.”
“We all know just how delicious a rich serve of mashed potato can be but what this research shows us is the variety of ways Australian consumers are choosing to prepare their potatoes.”
“In the lead-up to Christmas we anticipate the number will jump across all preparation categories, as Aussie families tuck in to their favourite potato dishes.”
Consumers also identified that they use potatoes primarily when cooking Australian, British and Indian cuisine.
“Weekday dinner was identified in the report as the main consumption occasion, with an interesting increase in propensity of consumers toward quick meal choices,” said Ms Ungar.
“Potatoes are seen as great value for money and easy to prepare in a variety of ways that the whole family will enjoy. The most recent wave of the Potato Tracker has also highlighted that purchase frequency remains high, with consumers buying potatoes around three times per month, and consuming them close to every second day.”
“Over the three waves of this project we have continued to see an encouraging pattern of consumption and consumer sentiment among Australian consumers who are satisfied with the quality and longevity of the produce, and we expect this to continue into the upcoming festive season.”
Aussie lovers of mashed potatoes might like this: How to get exactly the mashed potatoes you want
The Potato Tracker project is being carried out by consumer research organisation Colmar Brunton, to give Australian potato growers insights in to consumer attitudes and behaviour in relation to potatoes.
This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd using the National Fresh Potato Levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.
