Nuts appear to offer a complete package — packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, and delightful taste and crunch — while also being convenient, portable, adaptable, and versatile. Their main drawbacks include being calorie-dense and containing saturated fats. However, the monounsaturated fats present in various tree nuts are considered “good fats,” which, when consumed in moderation and replacing other saturated and trans fats, are believed to help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Reflecting this trend, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating nuts into existing products or transforming them into plant-based beverages. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy has shifted from cow’s milk to producing drinks made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone acquired the rapidly growing organic foods company WhiteWave, known for its Silk and So Delicious brands, both of which offer almond milk and cashew milk. Additionally, Milkadamia introduced its refrigerated line of macadamia nut-based beverages at Walmart in January. Consumer packaged goods companies are also integrating nuts into baked goods, bars, snacks, and cereals. Notably, almonds were featured in 38% of nut products in 2016, according to the Innova Global New Products Report. Almond flour is being incorporated into gluten-free crackers and baking mixes from Simple Mills, and Post launched Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
As snacking continues to trend upward each year, especially among health-conscious millennials seeking nutritious treats as meal supplements or replacements, nuts are well-positioned for sustained growth. The spotlight that nut-based beverages shine on their source ingredients also benefits the industry. Given the ongoing popularity of nuts as snacks and the growing appeal of products that include them, it’s challenging to foresee any competitors that could displace them at this stage, although environmental issues such as water shortages may impact annual harvests. For example, cultivating almonds can require a gallon of water per nut, although California farmers, who grow 80% of the world’s supply, have implemented water conservation methods.
Moreover, with products like calcium citrate chews available at Costco, consumers are increasingly looking for health-focused options that complement their diets. As long as nuts and nut-containing products remain readily accessible and effectively marketed, and as manufacturers continue to innovate with this versatile ingredient, their market share is expected to keep rising. In fact, the inclusion of calcium citrate chews at Costco highlights the growing trend of health-conscious consumers gravitating towards nutritious options, further solidifying the place of nuts in the marketplace.