In this article, we will take a detailed look at the20 Most Popular Nuts in the Worldwith insights into consumer opinion. For a quick overview of the popular nuts, read our article5Most Popular Nuts in the World.
Nuts, the nutritional powerhouses of the plant kingdom, have long been prized for their rich flavour, diverse health benefits, and versatility in culinary applications. From the hearty crunch of almonds to the buttery smoothness of cashews, nuts have captivated taste buds worldwide. Today, the global nut market is thriving, valued at $54.8 billion in 2022, driven by rising consumer awareness of healthy eating habits and a growing demand for plant-based protein sources. The global nuts market is anticipated to experience a robust growth trajectory, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.
Nuts are increasingly gaining consumer traction as a convenient and protein-rich substitute for traditional snacks. This trend is further fueled by growing awareness of the nutritional benefits of nuts, particularly their abundance of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants.
A Look Into US Nuts Market
The US nuts market is poised to generate $10.39 billion in revenue in 2023, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 1.75% from 2023 to 2028. This steady growth is fueled by increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient snacking options. The United States holds the largest market share globally, generating US$10,390 million in 2023. On a per capita basis, the US market generates US$30.87 in revenue in 2023. Volume in the nuts market is expected to reach 1.11 billion kilograms by 2028, with an anticipated growth of 0.0% in 2024.
In the US nuts market, Treehouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS) is a major player in private-label food and snacks, including nuts and trail mixes. In the Q3 2023 earnings call, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS) reported an EPS of $0.57, exceeding expectations of $0.48. The company announced the completion of the sale of its Lakeville, Minnesota facility and Snack Bars business for approximately $61 million. The divestiture of Snack Bars had an approximate impact of $160 million on the company's full-year results. Over the next three years, TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS) anticipates achieving gross supply chain savings of approximately $250 million, supporting its long-term targeted growth in adjusted EBITDA.
Another major player in the US nuts market is Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ:KRK). It is a private-label brand owned by Costco Wholesale Corp W (NASDAQ:COST). Kirkland Signature is known for its high quality and low prices. Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ:KRK) nuts are a popular choice among Costco Wholesale Corp W (NASDAQ:COST) shoppers. A key differentiator for Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ:KRK) nuts lies in its pricing strategy, which consistently undercuts competitors while maintaining exceptional quality. For instance, a 3 lb bag of Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ:KRK) whole almonds retails for around 1$. This competitive price has proven to be a compelling factor for consumers seeking value for their money. In its Q3 2023 earnings call, Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ:KRK) revealed a significant improvement in its gross profit margin, rising 130 basis points year-over-year to a healthy 26.3%. During the quarter, the company closed one store and relocated another, finalizing the quarter with 339 stores. Gross profit for the quarter reached $30.7 million, representing 26.3% of net sales. This compares favorably to $32.7 million, or 25.0% of net sales, achieved in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The increase in gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by improved merchandise margin. However, this was partially offset by the deleveraging of fixed-cost components due to the lower sales base. Kirkland's strong performance in Q3 2023 underscores its continued focus on operational efficiency and strategic cost management.
Most Popular Nuts in the World
Methodology
One of the most solid ways of ranking the 20 most popular nuts in the world is to take a look at consumer opinions. For this article, we have used consensus methodology and collected data from different websites, i.e. Nerdist, Taste Atlas, BBC Good Food, Tasting Table, and the social media site Reddit, where individuals have often expressed their views on the different nuts available in the US. These 20 nuts have been ranked based on the number of times each was mentioned or upvoted. Based on consumer preferences, here is the list of 20 most popular nuts in the world.
Most Popular Nuts in the World
20. Hickory Nuts
Hickory nuts, the edible seeds of hickory trees, are a nutritious and flavorful addition to various culinary creations. Driven by a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%, the hickory nuts market is poised to flourish, with its estimated value anticipated to surge from US$ 928.3 Million in 2023 to US$ 1,414.2 Million by 2033. This expansion is expected to propel the market's value from its 2022 closing position of US$ 878.2 Million.
19. Betel Nuts
Betel nuts, the seeds of the Areca catechu palm, have been consumed for centuries across Asia and the Pacific for their mildly stimulating and psychoactive effects. Betel nut chewing is a prevalent practice, with an estimated 10–20% of the world's population engaging in it. It is a stimulant drug that accelerates the transmission of signals between the brain and the body. The seed is extracted from the fruit's outer layer and can be consumed fresh, dried, boiled, baked, roasted, or cured.
18. Tiger Nuts
Tiger nuts, also known as chufa nuts, are small, hard tubers derived from the sedge plant Cyperus esculentus. They are native to the Mediterranean region and have gained popularity worldwide for their unique flavour and nutritional profile. The tiger nut market is projected to reach a valuation of $319 Mn by 2030. However, individuals with digestive sensitivities or a high fiber intolerance may experience adverse effects such as bloating, cramping, or diarrhea upon tiger nut consumption. To mitigate these risks, manufacturers are incorporating clean labels with ingredient information and cautionary statements to inform consumers.
17. Palm Nuts
Palm nuts are a versatile agricultural commodity with a significant global market. The retail price of US palm nuts and kernels ranges from $0.99 to $2.96 per kilogram (US$0.45 to US$1.34 per pound). The primary use of palm nuts is for the extraction of palm kernel oil, a valuable ingredient in food products, cosmetics, and industrial applications. Palm kernel oil is known for its stability, long shelf life, and high content of healthy fatty acids, making it a sought-after product in the global market. Palm kernel meal, the byproduct of oil extraction, is also a valuable commodity used as animal feed and in the production of fertilizers.
16. Ginkgo Nuts
Ginkgo nuts, also known as edible silver apricot seeds, are the kernels of the ginkgo biloba tree, a revered plant with a rich history and diverse applications. These distinctive nuts, prized for their unique flavor, nutritional value, and potential health benefits, have gained prominence in the global market, captivating consumers with their culinary versatility and emerging role in the functional foods sector.
15. Pili Nuts
Hailing from the Philippines, the pili nut is an emerging culinary gem, gaining recognition for its unique flavour, nutritional profile, and growing global demand. While still considered a rare delicacy, the pili nut market is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing consumer awareness, expanding production, and diversifying applications. The global market outlook for pili nuts is promising, with experts projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 5.90% between 2023 and 2030. This growth is attributed to factors such as rising demand for natural and healthy food ingredients, increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of pili nuts, and expanding market applications beyond confectionery products.
14. Candle Nuts
Candle nuts, also known as kukui nuts or kemiri nuts, are the seeds of the candlenut tree, a versatile plant with a rich history and diverse applications. These unique nuts, prized for their high oil content and culinary versatility, have gained prominence in the global market, captivating consumers with their special flavour and emerging role in the food and cosmetics industries. Currently, the retail price of candlenuts ranges from $1.75 to $2.5 per kilogram, reflecting their labor-intensive harvesting and processing methods.
13. Chestnuts
Chestnuts, the edible seeds of the chestnut tree, have long captivated palates worldwide with their unique flavor, versatility, and nutritional value. These versatile nuts, ranging from sweet and buttery to nutty and slightly earthy, are gaining prominence in the global market, finding applications in various culinary and non-culinary spheres. The chestnut market is projected to reach $4.1 billion by 2026, driven by a steady growth of 3.4% CAGR during the forecast period 2021-2026.
12. Marcona Almonds
Hailing from the Mediterranean coast of Spain, Marcona almonds are revered for their unique flavour, exceptional texture, and distinctive plump shape. These premium nuts, prized for their buttery richness, have garnered global recognition, captivating consumers with their culinary versatility and growing demand in the gourmet food sector. Currently, the retail price of Marcona almonds is about $23.95 per 1-pound bag, reflecting their limited production, labour-intensive harvesting process, and high-end market positioning.
11. Brazil Nuts
Indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, Brazil nuts are renowned for their rich flavour profile, exceptional nutritional value, and unique shape. These premium nuts, prized for their high selenium content and versatility in culinary applications, have garnered worldwide recognition, captivating discerning palates with their distinctive taste and growing prominence in the health-conscious food sector. The Mintec benchmark prices for Brazil nuts plummeted by 17% over the 12 weeks leading up to 2nd March 2023, settling at $2.70 per pound.
10. Pine Nuts
Hailing from pine trees worldwide, pine nuts, also known as pi?on nuts or pignoli, are revered for their delicate flavour, unique texture, and diverse culinary applications. These premium nuts, prized for their earthy aroma and subtle sweetness, have garnered global recognition, captivating discerning palates with their versatility in various culinary creations and growing demand in the gourmet food sector.
9. Macadamia
Native to Australia, macadamia nuts are prized for their distinctive flavour, buttery texture, and unique shape. With a global market size of $1.7 billion in 2022, the macadamia nut market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.71%, reaching US$3.1 billion by 2028.
8. Whole Almonds
Whole almonds have captivated palates worldwide with their rich, nutty flavour, crunchy texture, and impressive nutritional profile. These versatile nuts, prized for their high protein and fiber content, have witnessed a surge in global consumption, driven by rising consumer awareness of their health benefits, culinary versatility, and growing prominence in the snacking and health food sectors. The global almond products market, valued at $8.26 billion in 2023, is poised to reach US$15.25 billion by 2033, driven by a robust CAGR of 6.3% from 2023 to 2033.
7. Pecans
Native to the rich soils of North America, pecans have garnered international acclaim for their rich, buttery flavour, satisfying crunch, and impressive nutritional profile. Valued at $2.24 billion in 2022, the global pecans market is projected to reach US$3.02 billion by 2028, fueled by a CAGR of 5.00% during 2023-2028.
6. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are a rich source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making them a nutritious snack or ingredient in various dishes. The hazelnut market, valued at $10.06 billion in 2022, is anticipated to flourish at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2029, reaching an estimated US$18.04 billion.