Sales of tomatoes decreased $2.4 million, or 21%, for the third quarter of 2022, when compared to the prior year period. This decrease in tomato sales was primarily due to a 24% decrease in the cartons sold of tomatoes.
Nine Months Ended July 31, 2022 vs. Nine Months Ended July 31, 2021
Net sales for the Grown products business increased by approximately $142.4 million, or 32%, for the nine months ended July 31, 2022, compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021. This increase in Grown product sales during the nine months ended July 31, 2022, was primarily related to increased sales prices of avocados associated with lower overall supply of avocados in the marketplace. In addition, tomato sales increased due to an increase in overall sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in sales prices.
Sales of avocados increased $140.2 million, or 35%, for the nine months ended July 31, 2022, compared to the prior year period. The average avocado sales price per carton increased 58% compared to the prior year period. This increase in the sales price per carton was mainly due to a decrease of supply of avocados in the marketplace. The volume of avocados sold in the nine months ended July 31, 2022, decreased 14% compared to the prior year period.
Sales of tomatoes increased $2.4 million, or 7%, for the nine months ended July 31, 2022, when compared to the prior year period. This increase in tomato sales was primarily due to a 9% increase in the cartons sold of tomatoes, partially offset by a 2% decrease in average sales prices per carton.
Prepared products
Third Quarter 2022 vs. Third Quarter 2021
Net sales for the Prepared products business increased by approximately $11.2 million, or 9%, for the three months ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021. This increase in Prepared product sales during the three months ended July 31, 2022 was primarily related to increased sales prices of fresh-cut fruit & vegetables and prepared foods products. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in sales of prepared avocado products due to overall lower sales volume, offset by higher sales prices.
Net sales for fresh-cut fruit & vegetables and prepared foods products increased $13.0 million, or 13%, for the quarter ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021. This increase was primarily driven by price increases of 20% as well as a favorable product mix, partially offset by an 8% decrease in sales volumes.
Net sales for prepared avocado products decreased $1.8 million, or 9%, for the quarter ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021, primarily due to a decrease in the total volume of pounds sold.
Nine Months Ended July 31, 2022 vs. Nine Months Ended July 31, 2021
Net sales for the Prepared products business increased by approximately $22.1 million, or 6%, for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021. This increase in Prepared product sales during the nine months ended July 31, 2022 was primarily related to increased sales prices of fresh-cut fruit & vegetables and prepared foods products. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in sales of prepared avocado products due to overall lower sales volume.
Net sales for fresh-cut fruit & vegetables and prepared foods products for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021 increased $24.3 million, or 8%. This increase primarily reflects price increases of 14% as well as a favorable product mix, partially offset by a 5% decrease in sales volumes.
Net sales for prepared avocado products for the nine months ended July 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2021 decreased $1.4 million, or 3%, primarily due to a decrease in the total volume sold.