United States Retail Potato Sales mixed

In the United States total retail potato sales for the July – September 2018 period compared to the same quarter the previous marketing year, were down -1.9% in volume but were up 1.3% in value based on a 5.0% increase in the price per pound.

Potato chips at 40% of total sales were down -0.9% in pounds but up 0.7% in value while Fresh potato sales were down -6.1% in volume but up 1.2% in value with a 7.5% increase in the price per pound.

Frozen, Refrigerated and Dehydrated potato products all posted volume as well as value increases.

The decline in Fresh sales volume was once again driven by Russets, with 65% share of volume, they were down -9.9% for the quarter but down only -0.1% in value based on a substantial 10.9% increase in the price per pound. Red sales had the opposite results with the price per pound declining -3.3% which led to a -2.3% decline in the value despite a 0.4% increase in volume. Yellow sales continued to grow, up 2.5% in volume and 6.1% in value. Ten-pound and eight-pound bags declined from a year ago in both value -4.8% & -6.1% and volume -3.5% & -4.1% respectively.

Please reach out to retail@potatoesusa.com with any questions. These figures are compiled by IRI. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of any information contained herein.