Posts Tagged “MountainKing”
By MountainKing, Houston, TX
All-yellow flesh potatoes continue to rise above russets, reds and whites in the critical metric of retailer volume sales, an encouraging sign for grocers as growers ready for their upcoming fall harvests.
In the last 52 weeks ending June 13, 2021, retailer volume sales of all-yellow flesh potatoes are up 9.56%, far outpacing reds (up 0.82%), russets (down 3.91%) and whites (down 8.42%) according to the research firm IRI.
Over a broader timespan, 2021 retailer profits from all-yellow flesh varieties to date represent 11.3% of the potato category, up from 8.8% in 2017.
“There continues to be huge growth potential with the all-yellow flesh varieties, particularly among younger, more health-conscious millennial shoppers looking for a flavorful potato side dish,” says Andreas Trettin, director marketing for MountainKing.
Trettin adds MountainKing has witnessed similar growth trends with its popular all-yellow flesh varieties packaged as Butter Russets, presenting the look of a traditional russet; Butter Golds with their yellow and smooth skin; and its oval-shaped Butter Reds.
All three varietals, he explains, offer a creamy, smooth texture and a rich, natural buttery flavor requiring fewer ingredients and toppings.
“The feedback from consumers, across the board, is that the all-yellow flesh varieties offer a better taste when compared to regular russets and reds,” Trettin says. “What we’re seeing is really an evolution in cooking styles with the routine and conventional giving way to creativity and adventure.”
MountainKing Potatoes is one of the world’s largest growers of high-flavor potato varieties.
MountainKing Potatoes of Houston expects strong quality for its fall harvest of fresh potatoes in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
MountainKing’s creamers and fingerlings began shipping in late September. Its Butter Reds and Butter Russets will be available by the end of October.
“The 2021 crop outlook is very bright,” Andreas Trettin, director of marketing for MountainKing Potatoes, said in a news release.
“The ability of our farms to evaluate prior season successes and setbacks have provided us with a great road map. Modifications were made to fertilization and irrigation plans as well as land changes amongst our varieties. These adjustments continue to breed improvement year after year.”
MountainKing’s early harvest test digs indicate impressive potato sizes with minimal bruising, Trettin.
MountainKing will see “dramatically increased” acreage for its yellow-flesh varieties as shoppers continue to shift from traditional white-flesh reds and russets to more flavorful yellow-flesh types, according to the release.
MountainKing acreage expanded by 94% for its Butter Russets, 30% for its Creamer Reds and 14% for its Butter Golds, according to the company. In total, MountainKing allocated more than 1,200 acres for its yellow-flesh varieties. The company also dedicated more than 400 acres for its small potatoes.
“We spend a lot of time in the offseason examining IRI data and customer feedback on the different varieties,” Trettin said. “Our increased acreage directly reflects customer purchasing habits and national potato sales trends.”