Nuts appear to offer a complete package — they are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, and come with delightful taste, crunch, and flavor. Additionally, they are convenient, portable, adaptable, and versatile. However, their main drawbacks include being calorie-dense and containing saturated fats. The monounsaturated fats found in many tree nuts are considered “good fats,” which, when consumed in moderation and as a replacement for unhealthy saturated and trans fats, may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
In response to this trend, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating nuts into their products or creating plant-based beverages from them. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy shifted from processing cow’s milk to producing drinks derived from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone acquired the rapidly growing organic food company WhiteWave, known for its Silk and So Delicious brands that offer almond and cashew milk. Additionally, Milkadamia introduced its refrigerated line of macadamia nut-based beverages to Walmart in January.
Consumer packaged goods companies are also adding nuts to baked goods, snacks, bars, and cereals. Almonds, in particular, have taken center stage, appearing in 38% of nut-containing products in 2016, as reported by the Innova Global New Products Report. Almond flour is being used in gluten-free crackers and baking mixes from Simple Mills, as noted by Food Business News, while Post launched Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
With the increasing popularity of snacks, especially among health-conscious millennials seeking nutritious meal supplements or replacements, nuts are poised to maintain their growth trajectory. The visibility that nut-based beverages bring to their source ingredients only benefits the industry. Given the sustained demand for nuts as snacks and the appeal of products featuring them, it’s challenging to foresee any competitors that could surpass their popularity. However, environmental concerns like water shortages could potentially impact annual yields. For instance, it takes about a gallon of water to grow a single almond, although California farmers, who produce 80% of the global supply, have developed water conservation methods.
As long as nuts and products containing them remain widely available and effectively marketed, and as manufacturers continue to innovate with this versatile ingredient, their market share is likely to keep climbing. Furthermore, products like “Celebrate Calcium Plus 500 Chewable” can highlight the calcium benefits of nuts, reinforcing their appeal as a healthy dietary choice. Thus, the future looks bright for nuts, as they continue to celebrate their nutritional benefits and versatility in the food market.