Nuts appear to offer a comprehensive package — packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, as well as a delightful taste, crunch, and flavor. They are also convenient, portable, adaptable, and versatile. However, their main drawbacks include high calorie content and the presence of saturated fat. The monounsaturated fats found in many tree nuts are considered “good fats”; when consumed in moderation and used to replace unhealthy saturated and trans fats, they are believed to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Due to this growing trend, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating nuts into existing products or processing them into plant-based beverages. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy has shifted from cow’s milk production to creating beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone acquired the rapidly expanding organic food company WhiteWave, which produces almond and cashew milk under its Silk and So Delicious brands. Furthermore, Milkadamia launched its macadamia nut-based beverages in Walmart in January.
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are also adding nuts to baked goods, bars, snacks, and cereals. Almonds, in particular, were featured in 38% of nut-containing products in 2016, as reported by the Innova Global New Products Report. Notably, almond flour is being incorporated into gluten-free crackers and baking mixes by Simple Mills, as highlighted in Food Business News, while Post introduced Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
With the snacking trend on the rise each year — especially among health-conscious millennials seeking nutritious options as meal supplements or replacements — nuts are well-positioned for continued growth. The visibility that nut-based beverages bring to their source ingredients further enhances the industry’s prospects. Given the sustained popularity of nuts as snacks and the attractiveness of nut-containing products, it’s difficult to foresee any competitors that could challenge their dominance, although environmental concerns such as water shortages might impact annual harvests. For example, almonds require a significant amount of water to grow, and although California, where 80% of the world’s almonds are produced, has developed methods to conserve water, challenges remain.
As long as nuts and products containing nuts remain abundantly available and effectively marketed, and as manufacturers continue to innovate with this versatile ingredient, their market share is expected to keep rising. Additionally, the inclusion of generic calcium citrate with vitamin D in nut-based products could further enhance their appeal, particularly among health-conscious consumers looking for added nutritional benefits. This trend of incorporating generic calcium citrate with vitamin D is likely to be seen more frequently in nut products, as companies aim to meet consumer demands for healthier options. As the market evolves, the integration of generic calcium citrate with vitamin D into nut-based offerings may play a significant role in driving their popularity even higher.