In the US, fresh produce saw positive sales in both dollar and volume terms in the first quarter of 2013, according to the United Fresh Foundation's latest FreshFacts on Retail report.
Organic fruits and vegetables and value-added categories also posted positive overall dollar and volume growth compared to the same period last year, the report found.
A 4.9 per cent increase in average retail price led to a 7 per cent increase in average dollar sales for the produce department and a volume increase of 2 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2012.
Fruit increased dollar sales nearly 8 per cent through the three-month period, with vegetable dollar growth close behind at 5.7 per cent, while total volume for fruits and vegetables increased 1.4 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively.
Other highlights of the reported included the fact that nine of the top ten fruits posted dollar growth that exceeded the first quarter of 2012, and that half of the top ten vegetable categories increased both dollar and volume sales compared to the same quarter last year, with nine categories showing strong increased dollar sales regardless of relatively modest retail price increases.
Meanhwile, value-added fruits increased dollar and volume sales by 10.7 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively.
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.
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