PTNPA celebrates National Nut Day with spotlight on $148B US nut industry impact

The U.S. nut industry is a long, connected chain of businesses that turns a raw product into food for the country and the world. On Thursday, October 22, as the voice of America’s nut industry, the Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA) will be celebrating the industry on National Nut Day. By bringing together Industry affiliate members to represent and celebrate every nut commodity.

One industry, many parts

Almonds, black walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts each have their own characteristics, markets and supply chains. Their operations differ, yet the policy, trade, food safety and consumer forces shaping their businesses are often the same.

Bringing those parts together is the work of the PTNPA — connecting processors and their allied industries with commodity organizations so the industry can learn, plan and speak together. National Nut Day showcases that full picture: the benefits, the complexities and the impact of an industry that feeds the country and the world.

“Being the voice of America’s nut industry means we are a cohesive and coordinated industry, and National Nut Day is when we tell our comprehensive story together,” said Jeannie Shaughnessy, CEO, PTNPA. “Nuts are nutritious, and they are produced, manufactured and transported with an unrelenting commitment to food safety. We are a significant industry, made even more powerful with shared goals and successes.”

The numbers behind the industry

PTNPA’s first-ever economic impact report, “Nut Numbers: The Economic Impact of the Nut Industry,” highlights these findings:

• $148.25 billion in total annual economic impact
• 515,107 jobs supported nationwide
• $15.70 billion paid in total taxes
• $10.69 billion in annual exports

The figures capture the industry’s full reach, from processing and manufacturing to transportation, suppliers, and retail. The export number makes the case that the U.S. nut industry is a global power player. An interactive map available on ptnpa.org breaks the impact down state by state, giving companies and organizations a data-backed way to show what the industry means in their own communities.

“This report serves as a source of pride and a powerful tool for future context, education and advocacy,” said Shaughnessy. “Concrete evidence of our economic contributions will inspire industry leaders as we continue to engage with our industry’s stakeholders with data-backed authority.”

Stronger together 

Regulations move, trade conditions shift, costs change and consumer expectations evolve. A coordinated industry carries more weight than any single company or commodity. When ten nut commodities and the businesses that serve them speak together, the message reaches audiences none could reach alone. PTNPA exists to make that coordination possible every day, and especially on National Nut Day.

Celebrating on Capitol Hill

PTNPA marks National Nut Day with a vibrant celebration at the Top of the Hill Banquet and Conference Center in Washington, D.C., held in conjunction with all nut commodities and fourteen PTNPA industry affiliate members: Almond Alliance, Almond Board of California, American Peanut Council, American Peanut Shellers Association, American Pecan Council, American Pistachio Growers, Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries, California Walnut Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission, Macadamias SA (SAMAC), National Peanut Board, Texas Peanut Producers Board, The Peanut Institute and World Macadamia Organisation.

At the Commodity Marketplace, each nut commodity hosts its own table where guests taste, discover and learn the story behind each nut, alongside “Nut Numbers” findings. The evening is built on three ideas: celebrate, educate and give back.

• Nutrition: Nuts are nutrient-dense foods that fit healthy eating patterns consistent with U.S. dietary guidelines. PTNPA and its industry Affiliate Members share practical, science-based information on why nuts belong on the table.
• Economic impact: “Nut Numbers” puts clear data behind the industry’s contribution to sales, employment and economic activity.
• Community giving: PTNPA members are a philanthropically-minded community of companies that donate nut products in their own communities. At the celebration, guests compete to prepare 220 nut butter and jelly sandwiches for Thrive DC, and the industry’s ongoing partnerships with hunger-relief organizations, including Feeding America, keep that commitment going year round.

One voice, year round

The collaboration behind National Nut Day runs all year. PTNPA keeps the industry connected through education, advocacy, and events that bring processors, suppliers and commodity groups into the same room.

Ten nut commodities. One powerful industry story. Every October 22, the nut industry tells it together.

The Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA) is the voice of America’s nut industry. Learn more about National Nut Day at ptnpa.org/nationalnutday and explore the full “Nut Numbers” report and interactive data map at ptnpa.org/nutnumbers.

Photos courtesy of PTNPA.