For the second quarter of the year, fresh produce sales in the US are up compared with the same period of 2012.
That was the verdict of the latest FreshFacts on Retail report from the United Fresh Produce Association, which is produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce.
According to FreshFacts, organic fruits and vegetables led the pack in growth during the second quarter, with strong gains in sales and volume.
Fruits and vegetables saw gains in sales this quarter, driven by strong increases in retail prices. Fruits posted the strongest growth in sales and retail prices, exceeding 2012 figures by 4.4 per cent and 7.8 per cent respectively, but posted a 3.2 per cent decline in volume sales.
the report also found that eight of the top ten fruits posted increases in dollar sales, driven in most cases by increases in retail prices, with apples dominating fruit commodities in dollar growth with an increase of 18 per cent in sales and 13.7 per cent in retail prices, while volume sales increased nearly 4%.
Similarly, seven of the top ten vegetables were up in dollar sales, buoyed in many cases by increases to retail prices.
The Q2 FreshFacts report also featured a spotlight on product branding within fresh produce departments, highlighting shifts in the number of unbranded, branded and private label products – indeed, trends showed that the presence of branded products and private labels is growing within produce departments.
