In Great Britain, potatoes are the second most popular carbohydrate consumed in the home (after bread), with over 53 million people eating potatoes in the home. Fresh potatoes are eaten by 42 million people, and 31 million people eat frozen potatoes.
In the 52 weeks to 8 December 2013, expenditure on fresh potatoes increased 21.5% when compared to the previous year; however, this was driven by the rise in the average retail price (brought on by weather-related crop scarcity in the 2012-13 season). However, yearly volumes sold fell 7.9%, partly attributed to the very warm and lengthy summer weather conditions. In the latest 52 weeks, volume sales of chilled potatoes were 4.1% below last year.
In an attempt to manage budgets and minimise the impact of price rises when eating out, consumers bought fewer items, and they also ate out slightly less often than the previous year. The average individual spend increased just 0.9% as a result, and numbers visiting foodservice outlets dipped by 0.7% compared to the previous year, despite some growth over the summer.
Side of plate items, such as potatoes, are particularly susceptible to being dropped from food orders – to reduce overall spends. Chips, which account for the majority of foodservice potato servings, recorded a 7.5% fall in servings over the year, and this decline accelerated in the latest quarter of 2013.
Source: BordBia – Potatoes Remain Most Important Vegetable Carbohydrate in Britain
