Nuts appear to offer numerous benefits, including vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, taste, crunch, and flavor. They are also convenient, portable, adaptable, and versatile. However, their main drawbacks are their high calorie content and the presence of saturated fats. The monounsaturated fats found in many tree nuts are considered “good fats,” which, when consumed in moderation and used to replace additional saturated and trans fats, may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Due to the rising trend of healthy eating, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating nuts into their products or processing them into plant-based beverages. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy transitioned from cow’s milk to producing beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone expanded its portfolio by acquiring the rapidly growing organic food company WhiteWave, which offers almond and cashew milk under its Silk and So Delicious brands. Additionally, Milkadamia launched its refrigerated line of macadamia nut-based beverages at Walmart in January.
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are also featuring nuts in baked goods, bars, snacks, and cereals. Almonds, in particular, have emerged as a dominant ingredient, appearing in 38% of nut-containing products in 2016, according to the Innova Global New Products Report. Almond flour is now being integrated into gluten-free crackers and baking mixes from Simple Mills, as reported by Food Business News, while Post introduced Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
As snacks continue to gain popularity each year—especially among influential millennials seeking healthier options for meal supplements or replacements—nuts are well-positioned for sustained growth. The attention that nut-based beverages draw to their source ingredients further benefits the industry.
Given the ongoing demand for nuts as snacks and the appeal of nut-containing products, it is challenging to foresee any competitors that could potentially displace them. However, environmental factors like water shortages might impact annual crop yields. For example, almonds require about a gallon of water per nut to grow, though California farmers, who produce 80% of the global almond supply, have found ways to conserve water.
As long as nuts and nut-based products remain readily available and are effectively marketed—and as manufacturers continue to innovate with this adaptable ingredient—such as incorporating Citracal Petite Calcium for added health benefits—their market share is likely to keep rising.