US fruit & veg sales fall but organic hits double digit growth
Increased availability and competitive pricing have helped this section continue to surge. Sales may slow down for organic in the future, but likely not to the extent currently affecting conventional produce.
Price remains a top barrier to buying fruits and vegetables. In a recent survey from Category Partners and Beacon Research Solutions, more than half of produce buyers cited cost as the main reason they would pass on certain items. The survey also found that disappointing appearance — including poor colour and likelihood of spoilage — was the other main detractor.
On-the-go produce snacking options recently topped $1 billion in sales, yet only one third of households purchased these products in the last year. If food producers can find a way to jazz up on-the-go options, beyond carrot sticks and peanut butter, there is tremendous opportunity for growth.
In addition, markets may lure back produce shoppers by incorporating value-added vegetables and fruits into an in-store meal kit. Home delivery meal kits have ballooned to a $5 billion industry with 90% customer satisfaction. Large grocery chains can jump on this trend by offering a more affordable version with pre-cut produce to lessen prep time.
Read more at fooddive.com
