As the US economy slows, so too have sales of some types of value added produce as many consumers are beginning to trade down to save money, according to a new report from US fresh produce association United Fresh.
The latest edition of the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation’s quarterly research report, Fresh Facts on Retail, produced in partnership with the Perishables Group, has revealed that sales of fresh-cut fruit and packaged salads have both fallen in the US.
The report, which measures retail price and sales volume trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, found that weekly sales of fresh-cut fruit fell by 12 per cent, at a time when average retail prices for fruit and vegetables rose by 1.5 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2008.
However, although weekly dollar sales of packaged salads fell by nearly 5 per cent, bulk lettuce sales increased by 6.9 per cent.
A similar pattern was seen in fruit sales, where three of the top ten fresh fruit, berries, grapes and avocados, all increased in sales volume.
Despite the overall rise in fresh produce prices, the United Fresh report also found that sales and volume of organic fruit also grew by around 10 per cent during the quarter.
“As the economy takes its toll, American families are tightening their belts and spending less on everything, including food,” said United Fresh President Tom Stenzel in a statement.
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