Potato sales increased in dollars by 3.5% between October and December 2021 but decreased in volume by 6.7%, compared to the same period in 2020.
This data was compiled by produce research firm IRI for the second quarter of Potatoes USA’s Marketing Year 2022, according to a news release.
Elevated prices in grocery stores led to an increase in dollar sales compared to 2020 the release said. Volume sales were below 2020 levels but remained higher than in 2019.
Prices grew by 10.9% compared to 2020, growing five times faster than the previous two years.
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"While all categories fell in volume sales, compared to the previous year when many consumers were still doing everything at home, dollar sales grew in three categories," the release said.
Those categories include chips, refrigerated potatoes and deli-prepared sides.
"Overall, sales for total store potatoes are still growing in a post-2020 world despite increasing prices," the release said.
Fresh potato sales didn't do as well.
The decline in fresh potato sales was largely impacted by russet sales, the category’s largest volume share, which fell by 2.7% in dollars and 11.2% in volume.
The second largest fresh category, red potatoes, also fell in dollars by 2.9% and in volume by 7.3%, according to the release. Bags of potatoes greater than 10 pounds had the most significant price increase, with an average increase of 31.5%, leading to the growth in dollar sales. Volume sales for this category fell by 19.6%.
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On the positive end of the spectrum, yellow and petite potatoes grew in dollar and volume sales compared to 2020. Also, 1 through 4-pound bags of potatoes grew in dollar sales by 5%, with a slight decline in volume sales of 3.3%.
Micro/steamer trays and regular trays of potatoes grew in both dollar and volume sales, showing consumers continue to purchase value-added products.