According to new data from Innova Market Insights, almonds continue to lead new product introductions worldwide.1
 
The Global New Products Report from Innova Market Insights found that almond introductions grew in four out of the five key categories for almonds worldwide, including confectionery (22%), snacks (19%) and bakery (17%), as well as bars (16%) and cereal (8%). This growth helped almonds maintain their long-held position as the top nut in global new product introductions.1
 
The Global New Products Report also highlighted the top claims used on packaging of products with almonds globally, noting that “gluten-free” was the top claim used (24%). Following trends and consumer demands for clean label products, claims of “no additives/preservatives” were the second most used on almond product introductions globally, communicated on 15% of almond products. In a nod to almonds’ well-known texture, “crunchy” was used as a descriptor significantly more frequently than other texture claims on almond products.1
 
“With free-from and clean label products now so mainstream, we frequently see almonds’ attributes named on packaging,” said Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation, Innova Market Insights. “For example, we see a high use of gluten-free claims on almond bar products when compared to the general product category. In fact, over 56% of almond bars feature gluten-free positioning, compared with less than 46% for the category as a whole.”
 
In North America, 48% of product introductions with nuts contain almonds, which are also the number one nut used in new products across the top five key categories: confectionery, snacks, bakery, bars and cereal. Bars lead the charge for new almond product introductions in North America, up 17% since 2016.
 
In Europe and Asia-Pacific, almonds are the top nut for new product introductions, while Latin America saw the highest level of growth for almond introductions in 2017 (24%). Europe leads almond product growth overall, with a 47% share of global introductions for the second year in a row, with bars and snacking driving almond product growth by 53% and 32% respectively.1
 
“As consumers seek out products that offer on-the-go, clean label, convenience and nutrition without sacrificing on taste, manufacturers must identify ingredients to stand out in competitive categories,” said Emily Fleischmann, Senior Director, Global Marketing at the Almond Board of California. “The unmatched versatility of almonds means they can help manufacturers innovate to meet demands of the current and next generation of consumers. California almonds are safe, sustainable and have a relatively long shelf life, adding to the attributes manufacturers are looking for.”
 
Almonds can now be labeled “healthy,” according to the Food and Drug Administration, and when compared ounce for ounce, almonds are the tree nut highest in six essential nutrients: protein (6g), fiber (4g), calcium (75mg), vitamin E (7.4mg), riboflavin (0.3mg) and niacin (1mg).*
 
Visit the Almond Board of California at the Institute of Food Technologist’s Annual Food Expo at booth S2802, and find almond recipe inspiration, research, technical resources and the latest industry news on www.almonds.com/food-professionals.
 
References:
1. Innova Market Insights 2017 Global New Product Introductions Report, May 2018.
* Good news about almonds and heart health. Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving on almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.