Fruits and Vegetables Post Gains in Q3

Despite increases in average retail prices, fresh fruits and vegetables posted sales gains in the third quarter compared to last year, with organic fruits and vegetables in particular showing positive growth in both dollars and volume, according to FreshFacts on Retail, the quarterly report from the United Fresh Produce Association.

The FreshFacts on Retail report, produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.

Highlights of this quarter’s report include:

• Nine of the top 10 fruits posted increases in dollar sales, buoyed in many cases by increased retail prices. Specialty fruits posted the largest dollar increase at 13.7 percent.
• Nine of the top 10 vegetables also posted increases in dollar sales, again spurred by average retail price increases in many cases. Potatoes had the largest increase at 11.2 percent.
• Fresh-cut fruits and value-added fruits showed growth in dollar sales and volume.
• Among value-added vegetables, all sub-categories posted dollar and volume growth compared to Q3 2012. The value-added vegetable category with the largest dollar growth was side dish with 13.9 percent.
• Organic fruits and vegetables showed growth in dollar sales and volume, despite increases in average retail price.
• Four of the top 5 produce items sold in the deli posted increases in weekly dollar sales. Potato sides posted the largest increase with 12.4 percent.

Each FreshFacts report also features a Quarterly Spotlight on an industry segment or notable trend. This quarter’s spotlight investigated the top-selling holiday produce categories. For many categories, the week of the holiday is among the top-selling weeks of the year. A review of the top 10 produce categories sold the week of Christmas 2012 found that all of the categories increased dollar sales compared to the previous year. The category with the largest dollar sales growth was value-added vegetables, which increased 30.5 percent over the 2011 figures.

The complete FreshFacts on Retail report can be downloaded free of charge for all United Fresh members ($50 for non-members). For more information about how to obtain the report, please contact Shannon Young, United Fresh education manager, at 202-303-3400 ext. 405 or [email protected]. For questions about specific data contained in the report, please contact Kelli Beckel at the Perishables Group at 773-929-7013.

A copy of the FreshFacts on Retail report is available for press by contacting Lisa Hightower, United Fresh communications manager, at 202-303-3417.