United States Retail Potato Sales Volume Grows During the July 2024-March 2025 Period

United States retail sales of potatoes maintained strong volume over the nine months from July 2024 to March 2025. Despite a small (-0.5%) drop in dollar sales to USD 14.72 billion, total potato retail sales increased 2.3% by volume compared to the same period last year, underscoring continued consumer demand for the versatile, nutrient-dense vegetable.

Key Drivers and Category Performance

Sales volume over the July 2024-March 2025 period increased for fresh potatoes (+2%), chips (+2.6%), and frozen potatoes (+4.9%). Sales volume declined for deli-prepared sides and dehydrated potatoes (-4.5% and -2.7%, respectively), though dehydrated potatoes represent less than 6% of total volume sales, and deli-prepared sides represent less than 1% measured by fresh weight equivalent.

Dollar sales rose for potato chips (+1.6%) and refrigerated/deli potatoes (+2.3%), but declined most significantly for fresh potatoes (-4.7%) and dehydrated potatoes (-3.2%).

Fresh Retail Price and Pack Size

Consumer prices for potatoes fell each quarter of this period (July-September 2024, October-December 2024, January-March 2025) compared to the same quarters the year prior. The average retail price for all potatoes declined 2.8% in July 2024 – March 2025 to USD 2.26 per pound, driven by a 6.6% price drop in fresh potatoes to USD 0.89 per pound.

Among fresh types, russet prices fell the most at 13.6%. Only refrigerated/deli potatoes (1.5%) and deli-prepared sides (1.9%) saw price increases.

Volume sales grew for all fresh potato pack sizes except for five-pound packs and those greater than 10 pounds. Volume sales for eight-pound packs grew the most (+18.5%), followed by two- to four-pound packs (+10.8%) and packs between one and less than two pounds (+6.4%). Both volume sales (-27.1%) and dollar sales (-11.4%) declined for packs over 10 pounds.

Sales by Fresh Potato Type

Sales varied by type within the fresh category. Russets (+4.3%), yellows (+3.9%), and petites (+7.3%) all saw volume increases, while reds (-14%), whites (-3.2%), medleys (-7.6%), and purple potatoes (-9.3%) all saw volume decreases.

In terms of dollar sales, overall fresh potato sales decreased 4.7%, reflecting lower retail prices. Dollar sales increased for yellows (+5.7%), petites (+3.4%), and fingerlings (+2.4%) but declined for russets (-9.9%), whites (-11.9%), reds (-8.8%), purples (-8.5%), and medleys (-2.9%).

Consumer Prices for Chips, Frozen, and Dehydrated Potatoes

Consumer prices fell for potato chips, frozen potatoes, and dehydrated potatoes in the July 2024-March 2025 period, as well as for fresh potatoes. Prices of chips fell 0.96% to USD 6.61 per pound compared to the same period the year prior, while frozen potatoes fell 4.8% to USD 2.20 per pound, and dehydrated potatoes fell 0.5% to USD 5.15 per pound.

The two categories that saw price increases during the period were refrigerated potatoes (+1.5% to USD 3.25 per pound) and deli-prepared sides (+1.9% to USD 1.20 per pound). These two categories make up 7.2% and 0.62% of volume sales (fresh weight equivalent), respectively.