Popularity of Nuts Set To Rise

Experts have advised that the UK’s snack foods market is expected to grow from £2.5 billion to £3.8 million by 2016, and with the current focus on the health benefits and quality of food, nuts are playing an important role in this development. Research has found that nearly a third of global chocolate confectionery products contain nuts and that product launches have seen an extension of this trend, with hazelnuts and almonds are the most popular due to their flavour, texture and perceived health benefits.

Graham Kingston, commercial director of Pecan Deluxe Candy said, “Since the misguided and generalist fear of fat as a dietary threat has evolved into much better-informed nutritional knowledge, nuts in all their forms are enjoying a strong renaissance. Over recent years nut inclusions have almost completely reinvented their role within the worldwide market – firstly they made their way into tub, food service and stick ice-cream in multiple applications; then tray bakes, bakery and patisserie.

Mr Kingston continued, “Finally delicious desserts, confectionery and cereal bar snacks succumbed to the lure of nut inclusions, supplied in the perfect format for their respective markets, whether it’s frozen or ambient, bagged or loose product, processed or not – and in whatever quantities are required. Now, increased consumer interest in weight loss and healthy eating, in conjunction with the inevitable evolution of eating patterns, is leading to the development of new offerings that will meet consumer demand for healthier snacks to better fit into a time-poor lifestyle.”