Fruits enjoyed strong sales in the third quarter over the year-ago period, but weaker results in the vegetables category weighed down overall produce gains.
Sales of supermarket produce rose just 1.7% in the period, according to the FreshFacts on Retail report that the United Fresh Foundation delivers through its Center for Leadership Excellence. Weekly dollar sales per store of fruits ($23,180) increased 3.1% in the third quarter, while vegetable sales ($18,465) decreased 2.1%.
Apples, avocados, berries, grapes and specialty fruits were among the fruits that fared well. "Significant decreases in average retail price boosted volume particularly in grapes, avocados and specialty fruits," the report noted.
Sales of other produce, defined as such products as beverages, dried fruit, grains and nuts, increased a significant 14.3%. Sales for vegetables fell for all but three of the top 10-selling vegetables over the same period last year. Packaged salad, mushrooms and cucumbers were the only exceptions. Potatoes saw the largest decrease in sales per store (11.8%) to $2,244, followed by a 6.8% decrease in lettuce sales ($1,324).
The Nielsen Perishables Group gathered the data for the FreshFacts on Retail report, which covered the period from July 7 through Sept. 29.
