FDBusiness.com

According to the latest Innova Market Insights Global New Products Report, almonds outpaced overall food and nut introductions around the world in 2013, climbing 35 percent, compared to a 10 percent increase in 2012. As the number one ingredient nut for eight years running, almonds continue to lead new product introductions around the world and over multiple categories, widening the gap between other nuts.

Almonds have maintained their position as the leading nut type in global new products since 2006, and with 7,893 product introductions in 2013, almonds also maintain the largest share (35 percent) of total nut products introduced last year. In 2013, Europe led all other regions in 2013 almond introductions with 3,922 new products in market.

Around the globe, almonds are the top nut introduced in bakery, cereal, dessert and ice cream products and are the second most popular nut in snacking. The snacking category, however, has experienced a record 52 percent increase in global almond introductions, making snacks the category with the highest worldwide growth in 2013 (followed by the bakery and cereal sectors with 39 percent and 37 percent growth, respectively). Confectionery remains the leading sector for new almond introductions, with 30 percent global share in 2013.

Europe leads as the region that introduces more almond products than any other, with a 45 percent share of new product introductions globally. In 2013, 3,425 new products with almonds were launched in Europe, a 31 percent increase from 2012, and almonds are now growing at a faster rate than hazelnuts in this region. Indeed, the European region accounts for more than half of global almond confectionery introductions, and also leads in private label introductions with a 25 percent share globally.

“Almonds continue to grow in popularity every year and really stand out in nutritious snacking,” says Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights. “A fit into so many of the top trends such as natural, simple, better-for-you and clean label, it’s no surprise that almonds are a go-to ingredient for top manufacturers today.”

Sustainable Supply

The California almond community is committed to sustainable almond farming using economically viable and research-based production practices to ensure a nutritious, safe and stable food product. More than 6,000 growers in California farm 940,000 acres (840,000 crop bearing) to provide more than 2 billion pounds of almonds – virtually 100 percent of the US supply, and about 80 percent of the world’s almonds.

“From the orchard to the finished product, the California almond community is dedicated to the well-being of people and the environment,” says Richard Waycott, President and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “This year’s crop is expected to be the largest on record, which we view as a testament to the state-of-the-art farming practices and water-saving techniques enacted by our growers.”

For more information on formulating with almonds, visit www.almonds.co.uk/food-professionals.