What's the Next Big Nut?
By Abbey Lewis on Feb. 27, 2017NEW YORK -- Hazelnuts aren't actually real nuts, but the dried fruit is benefiting from the popularity of new snacks and candy products such as chocolate truffles, Nutella and Ferrero Rocher. In 2016, approximately 948,876 metric tons of hazelnuts were consumed, cooked up by bakeries as well as leading food and beverage makers of the world. New York-based Persistence Market Research estimates that the global hazelnut market is valued at $7.2 million and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, bringing its value to $12.7 billion by the end of 2026.
The global market for hazelnut is still at a nascent stage and will surge steadily in the years to come, according to a recent Persistence Market Research report. Protein-rich hazelnut products are earning surplus demand for being a part of several healthy dietary practices trending across the globe. Leading food manufacturers will likely be the largest end users of hazelnuts. More than 80% of global hazelnut revenues will come from manufacturers of food products such as protein shakes, bars or confectionary items.
What follows is a collection of six hazelnut products currently gaining traction on c-store shelves ...
Kind Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spice bar
With crunchy hazelnuts, rich dark chocolate and a kick of spices, the Kind Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spice bar was released as a limited-time offer (LTO) around the holiday season in 2016. The bar is made with 5 grams of sugar and no artificial sweeteners. It is gluten-free, dairy-free and high in fiber. All Kind snacks are made from whole nuts, fruits and whole grains.
G by Godiva
G by Godiva is a collection of superpremium chocolate flavors made with both solid and decadent combinations enrobed in milk or dark chocolate. This selection of Mexican single-origin chocolate bars includes varieties such as Dark Chocolate Toasted Coconut, Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Crisp, Dark Chocolate Orange & Ginger and Blonde Chocolate & Salted Caramel. All are available for an SRP of $7 per bar.
Sweepy snack dips
Sweepy Group Products manufactures snack packs that feature breadsticks and confectionery dips for on-the-go consumption. Sweepy Snack Dips come in four varieties: Chocolate Hazelnut, Strawberry, White Chocolate and Dulce de Leche. Each pack contains 14 breadsticks.
Clif Nut Butter Filled bars
Clif Nut Butter Filled Bars deliver sustained energy by combining two energy foods—nut butter and an organic energy bar—to help slow the release of carbohydrates. The non-GMO bar contains 7 grams of protein and comes in four flavors: peanut butter, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut butter and coconut almond butter. All are available for an SRP of $1.79.
Snickers & Hazelnut
Perhaps one of the biggest hazelnut releases of the year, Snickers Hazelnut takes original Snickers and adds hazelnuts. The variety is available for an SRP range of 99 cents to $1.09 for a 1.76-ounce bar.
Breyers Gelato Indulgences Chocolate Hazelnut
Unilever rolled out 17 new frozen treats across five of its ice-cream brands: Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike, Magnum Ice Cream and Popsicle. Breyers is introducing Breyers Ice Cream Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut Fudge and Gelato in four flavors—Indulgences Chocolate Fudge Truffle, Indulgences Chocolate Hazelnut, Indulgences Peanut Butter Chocolate and Indulgences Salted Caramel Truffle.