Consumer Demand for Hazelnuts Growing
Sponsored article from the Turkish Hazelnut Promotion Board
Given recent interest in plant-based protein, you are likely promoting tree nuts as a good source of nutrition in programs and services for your shoppers. As you plan for 2016, you will want to consider highlighting the hazelnut specifically due to its strong nutrition profile as well as its recent rise in consumer attention. A new study out this month, Data Scoop: The Facts about Nut Eaters, reveals a rising consumer demand for hazelnuts in a wide range of categories. Particularly, 88 percent of those surveyed say they are interested in hazelnuts, particularly in how they can enjoy hazelnuts in various snack applications, including energy bars, spreads and yogurt.
This growing interest is an opportune time to introduce shoppers to better-for-you products featuring hazelnuts as well as new and unexpected ways to enjoy them. Hazelnuts provide satiety, are heart healthy and nutrient dense. Per ounce, hazelnuts provide four grams of protein and 2.7 grams fiber, a powerful combination for providing a satisfying, filling snack or addition to a main meal. Hazelnuts have the highest levels of heart healthy mono-unsaturated fats and add extra vitamins to your diet. Read more about the nutrition of hazelnuts and download a handy guide for shoppers.
Below are some ideas on how to incorporate hazelnuts into your 2016 programming:
Showcase the Hazelnut Trend to Media
Reporters are often looking to cover new nutrition and health studies. Consider reaching out to your media contacts to share key statistics from Data Scoop or include them on your social media channels with a link back to the study. Key stats to consider include:
- About one-third of consumers surveyed feel that hazelnuts are healthy
- 7 out of 10 nut consumers are interested in seeing hazelnuts in various snack products
- 78% are interested in hazelnut energy bars, 75% are interested in hazelnut spreads and six out of 10 nut consumers are interested in trying yogurt with hazelnuts
- Half of nut consumers are interested in hazelnut milk, a dairy-free alternative
Promote Better-for-You Hazelnut Products in Store
Survey the hazelnut products that you have in store and highlight the ones that are most nutrient dense. Bundle them together to promote the various ways consumers can enjoy hazelnuts and communicate via your blog, social media profiles or other communication channels. Some product ideas include oatmeal, energy and granola bars, yogurt and hazelnut milks.
Share Recipes to Encourage Consumers to Heart Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts pair deliciously with chocolate and are heart healthy, so why not develop content to share during February, American Heart Month? Hazelnuts qualify for the FDA Heart Health Claim: 1.5 ounces per day of hazelnuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Consider including a recipe like Hazelnut Chocolate Energy Bars in a cooking class or in your social media content. (Serving size 1 bar, 190 calories, 10g fat, 25g carbohydrates, 5g dietary fiber, 14g sugar, 4g protein)
About Data Scoop
The Turkish Hazelnut Promotion Group commissioned the Data Scoop study, conducted by an independent research firm in June 2015. It includes 1,000 random surveys providing a sample that is consistent with the U.S. population. The study’s margin of error is +/- 1.9-3.1% with a confidence interval of 95%.
