Avocados are taking the spotlight as the go-to snack for football fans this season, according to Mission Produce’s AvoIntel blog, which said avocados are scoring big at gatherings nationwide with 62.3 million units sold and over $59.4 million in sales during the Big Game alone in 2024.
The connection is clear, as nearly half of avocado buyers are also NFL fans while 17% support college football, according to the AvoIntel post.
The start of the 2024-25 season brought a significant surge in avocado sales, with 54 million avocados sold over opening weekend, a 2% increase from last year, Mission Produce reported, adding that this boost led to a 22% rise in revenue, reaching $70.5 million. One-third of fans even rank guacamole as their top game-day snack, with complementary ingredients like tomatoes, onions and tortilla chips spiking in sales as fans create with the guac lineup.
Retailers, wholesalers and foodservice providers are encouraged to capitalize on this trend, according to the AvoIntel post, which said that avocados in a shopper’s basket add an average of $41 in sales during the college football playoff season. Mission Produce and Avocados From Mexico have teamed up to support this trend, designing promotional campaigns for both college and professional football.
As football season continues, AvoIntel suggests retailers develop a solid merchandising strategy to keep avocados front and center, ensuring they're the real MVP of every game-day celebration.
by Jill Dutton, Nov 05, 2024