U.S. Inflation-led Value-priced Packaged Potato Buying Spree

For quite a long time now, following Covid-19 generated buying trends, U.S. customers purchase packaged product, notably value-priced potatoes, as they attempt to stretch their food budgets and deal with inflation.

According to research from Denver-based Potatoes USA, cited by The Packer, bagged potatoes outsell bulk product by a significant margin. Bulk potatoes make up only 13% of potato sales with a 17% USD share, while bags account for 84% of potato sales and have a 76% USD share.

The 2.26 kg pack size accounts for 51% of potato sales with a 43% USD share, according to Potatoes USA. The 4.53 kg packs are next with a 24% volume share and a 13% USD share.

The 0.45 kg to 0.90 kg packs make up 7% of the volume and 22% of the USD share. The 0.90 kg up to 1.81 kg packs account for 8% of the volume sold and 12% of the USD share. The 3.62 kg packs make up 6% of the volume and 5% of the USD share. Pack sizes greater than 4.53 kg account for 4% of volume and 2% of USD share.

About two-thirds of fresh potatoes should be packaged in bags under 4.53 kg, according to Kayla Vogel, senior global marketing manager for consumer and retail at Potatoes USA. On the other hand, Ross Johnson, vice president of retail for the Eagle, Idaho-based Idaho Potato Commission, said that the 4.53 kg bag was having trouble not too long ago, and some shops were abandoning them.

Because potatoes have a lengthy shelf life and are typically priced affordably for consumers, the 4.53 kg package has the advantage of not needing to be consumed right away.