US food shoppers are buying more fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a new report from the United Fresh Produce Association which indicates that produce retail sales rose by 6 per cent in volume terms during the fourth quarter of 2009, against the year-earlier period.
United Fresh Foundation’s Fresh Facts on Retail report showed an overall growth in volume purchases during Q4 2009, as well as dollar sales increases for some categories of fresh fruit and vegetables, often a result of lower prices.
“While lower prices attracted more consumers to the fresh produce department, we see mixed results in the overall impact in volume and sales,” said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice-president of member services, foundation.
“However, unlike the past few quarters, we are starting to see a slight increase in overall produce sales, up 0.5 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2009, which is a positive sign in today’s unstable economy.”
Report highlights include:
• Fruit prices were lower by 5.7 per cent, resulting in a 6.5 per cent increase in volume.
• Vegetable prices were 9.2 per cent lower on average, resulting in a 5.9 per cent increase in volume.
• The volume of fruit purchased in Q4 2009 increased for every variety compared to Q4 2008 with avocados posting the largest volume growth, up 27.5 per cent.
• All of the top vegetable varieties increased in volume compared to Q4 2008, with prepared vegetables up the most at 7.7 per cent.
• Lower average retail prices for value-added fruits spurred a 12.1 per cent increase in volume and a 9.1 per cent increase for value-added vegetables.
• Organic vegetables outsold organic fruit in dollar and volume sales.
The report also found that within the organic category apples were the top-selling organic fruit at US$143 per store per week, followed by berries and bananas.
As for organic vegetables, packaged salads led the way, accounting for US$331 in weekly dollar sales per store, followed by carrots and lettuce.
Fresh Facts on Retail is produced in partnership with the Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce. The report measures retail price and sales volume trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.
No comments yet