(Food-Beverage-News.Com, December 24, 2016 ) Edible nuts are gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to comfort foods. FMI estimates global edible nuts volume to surpass 44.5 million MT in 2016, representing market value of over US$ 70.47 Bn.
In addition to their direct consumption, demand for edible nuts for use in making spreads, confectionary fillings & bars, gravy and salad dressings is also growing. “Consumer sentiment on edible nuts is overly positive, as edible nuts are known to be beneficial in managing high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and visceral adiposity. Manufacturers are aware of the favourable consumer perception towards various edible nuts, and are incorporating them as ingredients in their offerings”, says FMI.
Confectionary and bakery is the largest end-use sector for edible nuts, and is expected to account for over 29% of global demand in 2016. Demand for edible nuts from the confectionary and bakery segment is expected to reach 12.5 million MT in 2016 – a 7% increase over 2015.
Among all the product types, peanuts are the most sought-after edible nuts, holding nearly 90% volume share of the market in 2016. FMI estimates global production of peanuts to surpass 40 million MT by 2016, an increase of 5.3% in 2016 over 2015.
China remains the largest producer and exporter of peanuts, with total production estimated at 14.3 million MT in 2015. Fluctuations in peanut production in China have global ramifications, especially in Europe – one of the largest importers of peanuts.
Diamond Foods, Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Olam International Ltd., and Select Harvests Limited are the market leaders in the global edible nuts landscape. The global edible nuts market is highly fragmented, with the top 10 players accounting for nearly 23% revenue share of the global market in 2015. Leading companies are looking to expand their production capacity and launch new product offerings in a bid to cater to the growing demand for edible nuts. The rapidly growing middle class in emerging economies remains a key target audience for edible nuts manufacturers.
Long-term outlook: FMI maintains a positive long-term outlook on the global edible nuts market, estimating global revenues to surpass US$ 100 Bn by 2025. Volume-wise, the global edible nuts market is anticipated to increase at 3.1% CAGR through 2025.
