Modesto, CA — As food and beverage trends continue to be influenced by a combination of economic, environmental and social impacts, as well as changing consumer tastes, California almonds can be a key ingredient helping product innovators adapt for the future.
Key 2023 trends from Innova Market Insights’ 2023 Trends for Almonds report present opportunities for almonds, as an accessible, sustainable and nutritious plant-based ingredient, to play a valuable role in keeping up with consumer and market demands:
Unpuzzle Health – On-pack messaging is a go-to source for consumers keen to know about the health and nutritional value of a product. All-natural and nutrient-dense, almonds fit many emerging label claims, providing sought-after nutrients while accommodating a variety of diets.
Farming the Future – New farming systems are improving quality and sustainability, and seven in 10 global consumers prefer products that mention sourcing and farming benefits on-pack. The California almond community practices a zero-waste approach, ensuring every part of the almond tree is used, and farmers are pioneering whole orchard recycling, a regenerative practice that grinds orchards at the end of their productive life.
Redefining Value – Consumers are looking to maximize the value of their purchases and are determined to sample new experiences, while ensuring personal wellbeing and planetary health. Almonds are a nutrient-dense, whole food ingredient with many applications for a variety of sensory experiences, and those grown in California benefit from a long heritage of continuously improved sustainability practices.
Plant-based: Unlocking A New Narrative – Underused ingredients and technology are opening opportunity for sensory improvements and new experiences in plant-based innovation. As a versatile plant-based ingredient available in over 14 forms, almonds accommodate plant-based evolutions in a variety of ways.
Positively Imperfect – Consumers don’t expect perfection, but appreciate transparency about the complexities of sustainability. California’s almond farmers have reduced water usage by 33 percent over the past two decades, and aim for an additional 20 percent reduction by 2025.
