With more than $3.6 billion in dollar sales, nuts are among the top snacking categories in the United States. The category has seen tremendous growth over the past several years, driven by increasing consumer interest in health and wellness.
In 2015, snack nuts grew 4.3%, outpacing other major snacking segments including crackers (up just 0.6%) and chips (up 3.6%). Nuts have long been highly regarded as a healthy snacking option, and for good reason: They are high in protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, and nut consumption has been linked to weight and cardiovascular benefits.
While not quite as well-known as nuts, seeds are also rapidly growing in popularity. The sunflower/pumpkin seeds segment captured $243 million in dollar sales in 2015, and sales are predicted to grow drastically over the next five years as consumers become more aware of their health benefits. According to Transparency Market Research, the global seed market is expected to see a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2015 and 2021, while nuts are expected to see 1.7% CAGR over the same time period.
Seed popularity is surging with consumers realizing that seeds deliver comparable health properties to nuts along with some added benefits. Similar to nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds deliver significant quantities of protein, healthy fats and fiber. Additionally, seeds are generally less costly than nuts and can often be consumed by the large and growing number of people with peanut and tree nut allergies. There is also an environmental impact when it comes to seeds as they require much less water to grow than most nuts.
A comparison of some popular nut and seed options is below (1-ounce serving size):
| NUT/SEED: | PEANUTS | ALMONDS | CASHEWS | WALNUTS | SUNFLOWER | PUMPKIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALORIES | 166 | 163 | 157 | 185 | 165 | 163 |
| PROTEIN | 6.7g | 6.0g | 5.2g | 4.3g | 5.5g | 8.5g |
| FIBER | 2.3g | 3.5g | 0.9g | 1.9g | 3.1g | 1.8g |
| WATER USAGE | Low | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low |
| COMMON ALLERGEN | Peanut | Tree nut | Tree nut | Tree nut | N/A | N/A |
| AVERAGE PRICE | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $ | $$ |
“Consumer interest in healthy eating is higher than ever,” said Randy Gilbride, marketing director at BIGS Seeds. “Seeds are naturally high in protein, good fats and fiber, which makes them a great snack and a healthier alternative to chips and pretzels—options that are typically high in refined carbohydrates. Given the nutritional benefits and the low allergen concerns, seeds are a great grab-and-go snack for kids and adults alike.”
Seeds and nuts are both great options when it comes to healthy snacking. While the positive attributes of pumpkin and sunflower seeds are not as commonly known as the benefits of almonds, cashews, walnuts and peanuts, consumers are becoming more aware of their value—driving increased sales. With shoppers increasingly incorporating seeds into their daily snacking routine, retailers can drive incremental sales by providing a robust seed snacking platform with both in-shell and out-of-shell offerings.
This post is sponsored by BIGS Seeds