As food and beverage trends continue to be influenced by a nexus 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.

Five key 2023 trends from Innova Market Insights 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:

• Un-puzzle 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 popular and 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 7 in 10 global consumers prefer products that mention sourcing and farming benefits on-pack.1 The California almond community practices a zero-waste approach, ensuring every part of the almond tree is used, and California almond farmers are pioneering whole orchard recycling, a regenerative practice that grinds orchards at the end of their productive life back

• 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. California almonds tick all of these boxes.  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. 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% over the past two decades, and aim for an additional 20% reduction by 2025.

1. Innova Market Insights, 2023 Trends for Almonds. December 2022.