Nuts among top 10 snack foods
Better-for-you snack foods are on the rise. Nuts rank among the top 10 snack-oriented convenience foods for U.S. consumers. The NPD Group estimates that 77% of U.S. households have nuts or seeds on hand, and 19% of individuals eat nuts at least once in a two-week period.
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The snack nuts/seeds/corn nuts category grew 3.9% in dollar sales and 2.7% in unit sales during the past year across multi-outlets, according to IRI data. “Growth is attributable to consumers’ ongoing quest for quick, easy and portable satiation,” said Susan Viamari, VP of thought leadership at IRI. “With high levels of fiber and protein in a bite-sized form, nuts fit this profile quite nicely.”
“A focus on healthier eating is also supporting growth of snack nuts/seeds/corn nuts,” Viamari said. “These nutritional powerhouses are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.”
Growth in the category has so far been dominated by almonds and pistachios since a number of studies have linked the monounsaturated (heart-healthy) fats in almonds and pistachios to cardiovascular health.
The nut category could soon get a boost from new claims from another segment of the nut category — macadamias. Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut, manufacturer of macadamia nut snacks, recently submitted a petition to the Food and Drug Administration asking for approval of a qualified health claim for the nuts. The petition says that studies show that eating 1.5 oz. a day of macadamia nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased intake of saturated fat or calories, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
“Consumption of macadamia nuts provides satiety, energy and helps to manage health risks associated with heart disease and diabetes,” said Scott Wallace, president of Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut.
Viamari said that such flavors as hot and spicy, chili, chocolate and honey, and such packaging options as canister and stand-up packaging, have been driving category innovation.
Last year, Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Seasoned introduced a line of seasoned macadamia nuts in a number of new flavors including Sea Salt, Maui Onion, Hawaiian BBQ, Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper, and Wasabi and Soy. The nuts retail for $5.99 for a 5-oz. container.
In 2014, the company also introduced Fruit and Macadamia Crunches in three flavors — Mango Pineapple, Blueberry Pomegranate and Kona Coffee Banana. The line is available in 4-oz. stand-up, resealable bags that retail for $4.99.
Innovation in the macadamia, as well as other nut segments, will continue to drive the category. “There hasn’t been as much growth in the drug channel in macadamia nuts, and we want to change that,” Wallace said.
Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut also recently introduced chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and macadamia milk. “Nut beverages have been growing at an annual rate of 50%, and Mintel projects that alternative, non-dairy milks could represent as much as 40% of milk sales by 2021,” Wallace said.
Royal Hawaiian’s macadamia milk has half the calories of low-fat milk yet contains 50% more calcium. The four flavors — regular sweetened, unsweetened, vanilla unsweetened and vanilla sweetened — are shipping to stores in January 2016.