Weekly sales and the per-store volume of fresh and fresh-cut produce in the US rose by 3.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively during the third quarter of 2010, against the same period in 2009.
The average price of fresh produce sold at US supermarkets during the quarter also increased, according to the latest edition of FreshFacts on Retail, the quarterly retail research report of the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation.
According to the report, consumers showed indicated that the quality and nutrition of fresh produce was still a high priority in the third quarter of 2010.
Even with higher prices in some categories, consumers purchased more produce, resulting in seven out of the top 10 fruits and top 10 vegetables growing in dollar sales compared with the same period in 2009, as well as gains in both dollars and volume for organic and value-added produce.
Dollar growth in the top 10 vegetable categories was primarily driven by onions, the report said, which saw a 26.1 per cent increase in sales.
Meanwhile, sales of produce items sold in the deli increased on the back of a 7.9 per cent rise in deli salad bar sales and a 4.7 per cent growth in sales of deli potato side dishes.
Additionally, this edition’s Quarterly Spotlight features a look at private label products and their effect on overall produce sales.
According to the study, sales of private label produce in the US have grown steadily from 6.8 per cent in 2005 to 10.1 per cent in 2009, with most recent figures showing US$2.8bn in annual sales within the private label industry.
Growth in this category can be attributed primarily to vegetables, the report said, which accounted for 89.3 per cent of all private label produce sales.
The FreshFacts on Retail report, produced in partnership with the 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.
The complete report can be downloaded free of charge to all United Fresh members (US$50 for non-members).
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