The market for dried fruit, nuts and seeds for snacking has increased by 50 per cent over the last five years and is approaching a yearly value of half a billion pounds.
According to a Mintel report, television programmes such as You Are What You Eat and Celebrity Fit Club are behind the sales boost for healthier snacks, which will see the sector reach a value of £0.7bn by 2011.
Sales of dried fruit in particular have increased by 56 per cent over the last five years, and are now worth £176 million a year. And the market for edible seeds, now approaching a value of £20 million, has rocketed by 300 per cent over the last five years and is expected to reach £39m over the period.
While sales of salted peanuts are down four per cent, the market for healthier nuts such as almonds, brazil nuts and walnuts has doubled since 2001 to £189 annually.
A senior analyst at Mintel said: “Healthy eating has been the overriding influence behind the growth in the market for seeds, nuts and dried fruit, with a rising demand for ‘better for you’ and natural products.
“The market has successfully met the nation’s demands for exciting and more adventurous snacks, and the ever increasing range of nuts and mixed nuts available has appealed to a wide variety of different people.
“Peanuts have declined in popularity as they have been criticised for being calorie-rich, while increased concerns over peanut allergies may have put some consumers off, making these nuts an increasingly unpopular option.”
