Dark meat sizzles ahead of grilling season

Grilling season "officially" kicks off on Memorial Day Weekend (May is National Barbecue Month), and if recent supermarket point-of-sale data is any indication, grill masters will be turning to the Dark Side… of the chicken. During the 13 weeks ending March 31, 2012, chicken thighs saw six percent volume growth at supermarkets (11 percent dollar growth) despite a five percent increase in average retail price; chicken legs/drumsticks experienced only a slight volume decline (dollars increased four percent) due to a seven percent increase in average retail price, according to Nielsen Perishables Group FreshFacts® data. The breast still rules the supermarket roost, however, representing 56 percent of supermarket chicken category dollars, compared to 17 percent for chicken legs/drumsticks and thighs.  Chicken breasts saw two percent volume growth and one percent dollar growth over the same time period, with a three percent average retail price increase.  Read More