Nuts appear to offer a complete package — packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, delicious taste, and satisfying crunch. They are also incredibly convenient, portable, and versatile. However, their main drawbacks include being high in calories and containing saturated fats. The monounsaturated fats found in many tree nuts, considered “good fats,” can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation and used to replace unhealthy saturated and trans fats.
Due to the rising trend of health-conscious eating, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating nuts into various products or processing them into plant-based beverages. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy shifted from cow’s milk to creating drinks made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone acquired the rapidly growing organic food company WhiteWave, which produces both almond milk and cashew milk under its Silk and So Delicious brands. Additionally, Milkadamia introduced its line of macadamia nut-based beverages to Walmart in January.
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are also including nuts in baked goods, bars, snacks, and cereals. Almonds have particularly taken the spotlight, featuring in 38% of nut-containing products in 2016, according to the Innova Global New Products Report. Almond flour is being incorporated into gluten-free crackers and baking mixes by brands like Simple Mills, as noted by Food Business News, while Post launched Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
As snack consumption continues to rise, especially among health-minded millennials who seek nutritious options for meal supplements or replacements, nuts are well-positioned for ongoing growth. The attention that nut-based beverages draw to their source ingredients, which may include calcium citrate or calcium, can only benefit the industry. Given the sustained popularity of nuts as snacks and the allure of products containing them, it’s difficult to foresee any competitors that could challenge their dominance. However, environmental concerns, such as water shortages, could potentially impact annual crops. For example, almonds require a significant amount of water to grow, with California, where 80% of the global supply is harvested, implementing water conservation methods.
As long as nuts and nut-containing products remain widely accessible and effectively marketed, and manufacturers continue to innovate with this adaptable ingredient, their market share is likely to keep increasing. Moreover, the incorporation of calcium citrate or calcium in various nut-based products could further enhance their appeal as a nutritious snack option.