Retail

Potatoes USA: A look at 2022 retail potato sales

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 14.4% but decreased in volume sales by -1.5% from January – December 2022 compared to 2021. Despite a slight decrease in volume sales, volume sales remain 3.7% above pre-pandemic levels, says Potatoes USA in a news update. All categories of potatoes increased in dollar sales, with four potato categories rising by double digits. In addition to increasing dollar sales, refrigerated and canned increased volume sales by 0.7% and 2.8%, respectively. Fresh potato dollar sales were up for all types except purple potatoes.

February 9, 2023

U.S. potato retail sales on the rise: Dollar sales increase 17.2% in Q4 2022

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.2% but decreased in volume sales by -1.3% from October – December 2022 compared to the same timeframe a year ago. Despite a slight decrease in volume sales, volume sales remain above pre-pandemic levels, according to a report by Potatoes USA. All categories of potatoes increased in dollar sales, with the most significant occurring for frozen potatoes by 33.1%, followed by fresh potato sales at 20% and instant potatoes at 14.5%.

February 7, 2023

Sulfite-free fix: New clean food solution for potato browning introduced

The top product quality challenge facing fresh-cut potato processors is enzymatic browning and a common browning preventative – sulfites – can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Using sulfites can also trigger FDA-mandated labeling. Now there’s a sulfite-free fix by Syracuse based Hennessy Food.

January 13, 2023

Retailers get a jump on planning with IPC potato category reports

With global events during the past few years upending longtime consumer shopping behavior, are potato sales trends anywhere close to a stable new normal? According to a news report by The Produce News, questions like this have led the Idaho Potato Commission to invest heavily in delivering actionable data, teaming up with Category Partners to produce information that is a proven asset to IPC’s team in the field, said Ross Johnson, IPC vice president of retail and international.

January 13, 2023

Australia: Industry insider reveals frustrating reason for empty Coles fridges

The hot chip shortage has now hit close to home [in Australia], with the internet divided over a recent photo of an empty Coles fridge, writes Joanne Tran in a news story published by The Daily Telegraph. In a now-viral Reddit post, a user shared a snap of the frozen chips section at their local Coles, and shockingly, it was completely empty.

January 6, 2023

‘Don’t mash those potential potato profits’

Let’s start the new year off talking about one of the sometimes-unsung superstars of the produce department: ‘the potato’, writes Brian Dey in this news story published by The Packer. Potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse, not to mention super tasty when prepared a multitude of ways. They’re great as a main course, side dish or snack. Brian Dey suggests three short tips on how retailers can maximize their potato sales and profits.

December 29, 2022

British farmers outraged as Sainsbury’s sells potatoes for ‘less than the cost of production’

Farmers have been left outraged as Sainsbury’s, among other UK supermarkets, has discounted the price of potatoes in the run up to Christmas, according to a report by Grocery Gazette. As a result of the price drops, farmers and consumers on Twitter are fearing this will reduce the value of vegetables, while growers deal with added inflationary pressures, according to reporting by Farming Guardian.

December 26, 2022

Potatoes USA: Despite slight decrease in volume, potato retail sales increased above pre-pandemic levels in dollar sales

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.8% but decreased in volume sales by 2.1% from July – September 2022 compared to the same timeframe a year ago, according to a news release issued by Potatoes USA today. The industry body says despite a small decrease in volume sales, volume sales remain above pre-pandemic levels. Over the last five years, the average consumer price per pound of potatoes has increased each year.

December 1, 2022

Australia ‘very likely’ to face potato shortage in coming months

It’s “very likely” Australia will face a potato shortage in coming months, the vice-president of horticulture at the Victorian Farmers’ Federation has warned. Kathryn Myers from the Victorian Farmers’ Federation says recent wet weather means farmers haven’t been able to plant potato crops. “It’s just not been possible to get tractors on the ground to work up our paddocks to put potatoes in,” she told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell in an interview.

November 10, 2022

Potato market in the U.S. running hot with holiday demand, shorter crop

Strong demand and higher pricing characterized the potato market in early November, and tight market conditions are expected to continue through the holidays, as Tom Karst reports for The Packer magazine. Lower acreage for fresh market potatoes in Idaho this year, combined with active demand from frozen potato processors, have contributed to higher pricing for this year’s crop. Elevated pricing at both the farm level and at retail are expected in a short crop year.

November 7, 2022

Australia’s Woolworths grocer says heavy rain and floods are hurting potato crops

Australian grocer Woolworths Group said heavy rain may keep squeezing supply of farm-based staples, including potato chips, as soaring shelf prices contributed to a decline in first-quarter food sales, according to a report by European Supermarket Magazine.

November 3, 2022

‘Bridging the gap between farmers and shoppers’: RPE announces new brand

RPE, LLC introduces a new potato, onion, and sweet potato commodity brand – Farmer’s Promise Serving Up Confidence®. The company says in a press release the brand bridges the gap between the farmer and the consumer using an omni channel strategy – digital media, in-store merchandising, QR codes and online connections. In less than a year, Farmer’s Promise is already a Top 10 national brand with higher sales productivity than historic brands.

October 31, 2022

McCain enters the Metaverse: Introducing ‘Regen Fries’, new partnerships to educate consumers on regenerative farming

McCain Foods is entering the Metaverse and introducing new ‘Regen Fries’ as part of the #SaveOurSoil initiative. Regen Fries are made with potatoes that are grown using regenerative farming methods which build soil health, improve biodiversity, and enhance on-farm resilience to climate change. McCain has committed to reimagining ways to grow potatoes that are ‘beneficial for both the planet and the communities in which it operates’.

October 30, 2022

EarthFresh showing the ‘exciting side of potatoes’

Toronto-based EarthFresh is thrilled to be back in person at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando this week. “We are excited to show our customers, suppliers and industry friends our full line of conventional and organic potato offerings, sweet potatoes and our new innovative value-added product line, ‘Fast. Fresh. Gourmet’,” says Jessica Hughes, director of innovation.

October 26, 2022

Overpriced potatoes in South Africa: Industry body launches consumer awareness campaign

Some shops are overpricing potatoes while consumers are struggling to make ends meet. That’s the view of Potatoes South Africa (‘Potato Nation’) after it found a store where potatoes are sold at a heavily inflated price. The industry body is now launching a consumer awareness campaign, encouraging customers to shop around for appropriately priced potatoes.

October 23, 2022

Chip shortage: Popular supermarket item ‘wiped’ from Aussie shelves amid potato shortage

Supermarkets have been hit by an unexpected product shortage as a result of the ongoing weather and supply chain issues in Australia, as Rebekah Scanlan reports for News.com.au. Farmers have been warning of a national potato shortage for months after huge amounts of crops were “wiped out” by wild weather earlier in the year.

October 19, 2022

Side Delights launches new potato packaging designed to ‘stand out’, inform consumers

Side Delights completed a package refresh and will showcase the new line at the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando on October 28-29, 2022. “We designed this packaging refresh using feedback from retailers and consumers, from a wide range of demographics and generations – from Gen Z to Boomers,” noted Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network.

October 17, 2022

Reducing virgin plastic: PepsiCo UK invests in new sustainable food packaging innovations

PepsiCo UK announced a £14 million investment in new sustainable food packaging innovations that will remove 250 tonnes of virgin plastic from its supply chain annually. The outer plastic packaging on millions of Walkers 22- and 24- bag multipacks will be replaced with a new cardboard design which reduces the amount of virgin plastic the company uses. The new outer packaging will be on-shelves in all major supermarkets in the UK in the coming weeks.

October 14, 2022

High-flavor potato varieties: MountainKing re-brands popular gourmet potato varietals

MountainKing has launched a re-brand of one of its popular, gourmet varietals with the introduction of its Butter Cream Potatoes, now available in three-pound poly mesh bags, the company says in a recent news release. “The new Butter Cream name speaks to the attributes of this yellow-flesh variety in a way that resonates with the shopper,” says Andreas Trettin, marketing director for MountainKing.

September 27, 2022

Retail consumers in the U.S. spent more on potatoes

Potatoes USA says in its latest monthly newsletter that potato retail sales increased in dollar sales but decreased in volume sales from July 2021 – June 2022, compared to the same timeframe a year ago. As consumer prices increased by 10.5%, retail dollar sales increased by 5.7%. The total volume sales decreased 4.4% from the same time a year ago, but they remained above volume sales prior to the pandemic. Dollar sales have continuously increased over the last five years.

September 22, 2022

Survey: Retail potato prices jump 60% in Britain, farmers say the worst is still to come

The prices of basic foods including chicken, vegetables, milk and potatoes have increased by up to 60% in local supermarkets in Britain over the last six months. According to a report by Joel Adams for Eastern Daily Press (EDP), a standard 2.5kg bag of white potatoes in both Sainsbury’s and Tesco are now an eye-watering 61 or 62% more expensive than in April respectively, and have shot up 51% in Aldi too. Norfolk potato farmers said retail prices continue to climb through the autumn.

September 17, 2022

IFA: Static retail market in Ireland, processing activity strong in Europe

Retail markets in Ireland remain static as school holidays are in full swing; demand for the processing sector is buoyant, according to this week’s market report by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). The area of earlies planted is slightly less than 2021 area. Across Europe, processing activity continues to be very strong but buyers are now much more relaxed.

July 7, 2022

Ukraine conflict: Third of British chip shops face closure due to food shortages, industry warns

A third of fish and chip shops in Britain could be at risk of closure due to food shortages caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, industry leaders have warned. The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) has called on the Government to “act now” to prevent “long-term damage” to the popular takeaways, Sky News reports.

May 16, 2022

Stepping up to the plate: Linwood Crops to help the wounded in Ukraine

Linwood Crops Limited, the UK based specialist fresh potato business, are doing their bit to help the people of Ukraine. In a news release, the company says that for every product ordered in March 2022 from its Chef’s Taste and MUST Have product range, it will donate to help secure urgent medical kits and supplies for those Ukrainians wounded in this horrific conflict.

March 10, 2022

Potato consumption soars as Australians embrace the humble spud

Australians are consuming more potatoes than ever before according to new data. As Megan Hughes reports for ABC Rural, statistics from research and development organisation Hort Innovation shows 87 per cent of Australian households bought potatoes at the supermarket, taking home an average of 1.7 kilograms per shopping trip.

February 17, 2022

US potato sales at retail increased in 2021 compared to 2019

Potato sales from January to December 2021 increased compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, but could not keep up with consumers’ increased time spent in home kitchens during 2020, according to Potatoes USA. The industry body says volume sales increased almost 5% compared to the more normalized time of 2019.

February 9, 2022

Retail giant Kaufland to sell low-carb potatoes

German retail giant Kaufland has rolled out low-carbohydrate potatoes, said to have 30% less carbohydrates, under its ‘Linella’ label. The new potato SKU is available across Germany at all Kaufland outlets, the retailer added. The innovative potato was created in collaboration with Kaufland’s long-term partner, Europlant Plant Breeding.

January 17, 2022

Wada Farms, The Produce Moms launch cobranded potato package

Wada Farms, one of America’s largest grower-shippers-marketers of fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes for retail buyers and the food distribution industries and The Produce Moms, a leading digital influencer of all things fruits and vegetables, have moved their long-time partnership onto the retail shelf with a new co-branded potato package.

October 27, 2021

Food service sector prospers in Ireland, export demand quiet across Europe

The Irish Farmers Association reports that retail demand has eased slightly, although colder weather forecasted should improve trade again in Ireland. The food service sector continues to prosper, despite it traditionally being a quieter period. Prices for the fresh sector in Europe are currently described as holding or slightly easier. Export demand is very quiet.

October 15, 2021

Lukie Pieterse, Editor & Publisher

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