WASHINGTON -- Fresh and value-added produce experienced dollar gains in the second quarter of 2014, resulting in produce department average weekly dollar sales increases by 4.5% for the period, according to the latest FreshFacts retail report issued by the United Fresh Produce Association.
For second-quarter 2014, increased retail prices for fresh produce drove produce dollar gains, with most fruit and vegetable categories showing increased average retail prices compared to the same period last year.
Value-added fruits and vegetables experienced dollar sales and volume increases for most sub-categories despite increases in average retail price. Value-added fruits posted higher overall dollar and volume sales than value-added vegetables during Q2 2014, however, the volume and dollar sales growth rate for value-added vegetables outpaced that of value-added fruit.
This quarter's FreshFacts report also debuted a new feature called the "Category Deep Dive" with expanded data for berry, citrus and packaged salad categories.
The report shows that strawberries generated 54% of overall berry sales, with increases in both volume and dollar sales. For citrus, limes showed an increase in average retail price of 63%, resulting in a dollar sales increase of 50%. And for salads, organic salads and completes/kits both had double-digit growth in dollars and volume.
In addition, this edition's Quarterly Spotlight focuses on beverages and juices found in the produce department. The data shows that shoppers are increasingly looking to the produce department for fresh beverages, including fresh fruit juices, smoothies and ciders.
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.
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Associationbrings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.
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