Consumers are finding ways to incorporate avocados into their summer holidays, with July Fourth sales hitting a four-year high in 2018 as all regions of the U.S. saw strong growth.
The Hass Avocado Board, which tracks sales for holidays and big consumption events like the Super Bowl in all seasons, tracked Father’s Day, July Fourth and Labor Day sales in itsthird-quarter report.
July Fourth sales of nearly $53 million (50 million avocados) was boosted by increases in regions across the U.S., from a more than 10% boost in the Great Lakes region to a 54% boost in the Northeast.
“Avocados are being added to traditional summer fare including burgers and salads,” Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board, said in a news release. “We’re also seeing avocados show up in fresh new ways, such as in refreshing ice pops. Shoppers look for unique and delicious healthy options for summer holidays and Hass avocados are a perfect addition.”
Escobedo said sales have been increasing each year for holidays as avocados become more mainstream.
Father’s Day sales mirrored July Fourth, with a four-year high of almost $52 million, topping 2015 sales by a third and more than a 25% boost in volume, according to the release. Sales in the Southeast were 25% higher.
Labor Day, which traditionally signals the end of summer, saw sales hit a record with $51 million in sales and just shy of a one-third increase in volume, at 38 million avocados. All eight regions in the U.S. saw double-digit increases for the Labor Day weekend, according to the release.
More information on the Hass Avocado Board’s third-quarter holiday/event sales report is available at https://www.hassavocadoboard.com/retail/holidays-events.