Consumers are expected to increase spending this holiday season, including for homemade meals.
Retailers can look forward to a rebound in holiday shopping this year despite the Delta Variant. According to a forecast from Deloitte, U.S. consumers will spend up to 9% more this holiday season compared to 2020. With many people staying home for the holidays last year, there is a chance for travel to increase this year. Consumers seem prepared to travel and spend more on gifts, apparel, flight tickets and hotel rooms.
The retail solutions platform, Field Agent reported that 34% of shoppers surveyed said they’d spend more this year on holiday groceries. However, with labor shortages and an increase in COVID outbreaks, shoppers should expect fewer discounts, longer shipping times and limited inventory at stores. Retailers who order early for the increased expected demand, will be in better position to service consumers. Spending habits could change, but it is likely there will still be an upward swing is ecommerce sales.
In 2020 consumers had to embrace cooking and eating at home more and while eager to resume dining out, Specialty Foods Association’s (SFA) research suggest consumers won’t abandon all the cooking skills that they learned. It is expected to be a hybrid holiday this year as many return to a celebratory feeling while normalizing the pandemic lifestyle. SFA also noted that people will use specialty foods as gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season as consumers want to show the skills they’ve learned at home.
Potato Market Update
You can tell the Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner. Business on consumer-sized russet potatoes is getting quite busy. Every potato facility in the country will remain busy for the next 18 days. Pricing is very firm in all areas with the amount of business we are seeing. The biggest limiting factor will be outbound transportation.
Growers in the Red River Valley are shipping and storing red potatoes. They are nearing the end of their harvest with 85 to 90-percent complete.
Both availability and demand for white potatoes continue to center around the northeast and southeast. We are seeing steady movement with little change.
Yellow potato demand and movement are strong in all the major shipping areas, with the holiday on the horizon. Pricing is very stable.
Availability of fingerling potatoes remains good in all shipping regions. Fingerlings are a great variety to add depth to your holiday promotions. Contact your RPE sales representative for all your holiday potato and onion needs.
Onion Market Update
Demand remains strong across the board on storage crop onions as we head into November. Supplies are still down on super colossal and colossal-sized onions, putting additional pressure on the jumbo-sized onions.
Medium and pre-pack-sized onions are in good supply in the Columbia Basin, and quality has been excellent.
The truck market in the major growing regions of Idaho, Washington and Oregon remains tight and prices are only increasing as we move toward the holiday season.
Tasteful Selections® Roasted Sweet Potato Platter
A recipe worth sharing—this Roasted Sweet Potato Platter is the perfect recipe to share with your family during the holidays. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, compliment your sweet potato tray with toppings for everyone.
