Sep 18, 2013

Fresh produce sales up again for second quarter of 2013

For the second quarter this year, fresh produce sales are up compared to last year’s figures. Organic fruits and vegetables lead the pack in growth with strong gains in sales and volume according to “FreshFacts on Retail,” a quarterly report from the United Fresh Produce Association which tracks retail produce sales and performance.

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 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively, but posted a 3.2 percent decline in volume sales.

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:

• Eight of the top 10 fruits posted increases in dollar sales, driven in most cases by increases in retail prices.
• Apples dominated the fruit commodities in dollar growth with an increase of 18 percent in sales and 13.7 percent in retail prices, while volume sales increased nearly 4 percent.
• Seven of the top 10 vegetables are up in dollar sales this quarter, buoyed in many cases by increases to retail prices.
• Onions posted the strongest increases among the top 10 vegetables, exceeding last year’s figures by 8.3 percent in sales and 10.4 percent in retail prices, but volume declined 1.9 percent compared to Q2 2012.
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  Tags: Marketing, Onions