Global Demand
When something is as wonderful as California Almonds, you can’t keep it a secret for long. Demand for this tiny, tasty, nutritious, crunchy little gem is exploding, all over the world. But what does that mean for you?
We recently conducted a global chocolate study to better understand consumer attitudes about chocolate, almonds and chocolate, and chocolate paired with other popular ingredients.
We uncovered, in a nutshell, this delicious truth: pairing chocolate and almonds is nothing short of confection perfection. Demand for both is growing, all over the world.
Fast Facts on Global Demand
o Global retail chocolate sales increased 12%, from 6.2 million tonnes in 2004 to 6.9 million tonnes in 20091.
o Almonds are the only nut to rank in the top two for number of new chocolate product introductions in every major region of the world2.
o Eight of the top 10 global chocolate brands have an almond version1.
The Whole World is Sweet on Almonds and Chocolate
Whether it’s a matter of light, buttery taste or tasty, satisfying crunch, consumers know almonds bring a lot to every chocolate experience. And, they’re always up for more.
Fast Facts on Cravings
• 70% of consumers worldwide state they are more likely to buy chocolate with almonds vs. chocolate without almonds3.
• Almonds are the ingredient consumers worldwide choose most when creating their ideal chocolate bar 3.
o Those who chose almonds for their ideal product were more likely to describe their product as “taste good,” “high-quality,” and nutritious3.
• Almonds outperform all other nuts on the top four attributes consumers seek in a chocolate bar including: tastes good, high quality, satisfying, comforting3.
Almonds Deliver Taste, Premium Image, and Nutrition in chocolate
Like any perfect pairing, almonds bring out the best in chocolate. They truly deliver on the attributes consumers say are most important in chocolate: delicious taste and premium quality3.They also bring a nutritious halo to any creation—an important worldwide food trend that reaches beyond the confection category.
Taste
Again, taste is king—the most important attribute in chocolate—and consumers know almonds are the perfect complement to the great taste of chocolate.
Fast Facts
• 95% of consumers worldwide believe taste is critical when choosing chocolate products3.
• 74% of consumers worldwide think chocolate with almonds is tastier3.
• Consumers rate almonds as the #1 nut that delivers taste in chocolate3.
Premium Image
Quality is the second most important attribute consumers seek in chocolate and almonds have an unmatched ability to boost the image of any bar or box3. The market place is responding to consumer demand for more premium products and we’re watching this trend grow.
Fast Facts
• Consumers worldwide rated almonds as the #1 nut that delivers high quality in chocolate3.
• Between 2004 and 2009, 17% of all chocolate product claims were “premium”1.
Nutrition
Don’t overlook the nutrient boost almonds bring to everything. More and more, consumers are looking for wholesome products and making smarter choices—even when it comes to chocolate.
Fast Facts
• Over two-thirds (69%) of consumers worldwide believe nutrition is important when choosing chocolate products 3.
• 75% of consumers worldwide believe chocolate with almonds is nutritious and consumers believe almonds are the nut that best delivers nutrition in chocolate creations3.
To learn more about how almonds and chocolate can work together with sweet success, click here to download the full report.
Sources:
1 Euromonitor.
2 Mintel Global New Products Database and Sterling-Rice Group, Global New Product Introductions Report, 2010.
3 Sterling-Rice Group, Global Chocolate Study, 2010.
Good news about good fat: U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that the majority of your fat intake be unsaturated. One serving of almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.
Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
