Global demand for California almonds grows as innovation drives new uses

The Almond Board of California (ABC) is promoting expanded global demand for California almonds by leveraging consumer trends and product innovation that broaden the nut’s use in food and beverage products, the board said in a recent industry report. In 2025, almonds appeared in nearly 10,000 new products worldwide, signaling sustained interest from manufacturers and consumers alike.

At the 2025 Almond Conference, Lu Ann Williams, global insights director at Innova Market Insights, said evolving consumer preferences — particularly toward nutrition, functionality and clean‑label ingredients — are influencing product development.

“Almonds are an absolutely fantastic ingredient because they deliver on all those things that consumers are looking for,” Williams said.

According to Innova data, snacking culture is shifting eating habits, with a significant share of younger consumers replacing meals with snacks. Almonds’ versatility allows them to be incorporated into multiple food categories, including plant‑based beverages, protein products and indulgent snacks.

The U.S. remains the largest market for almond product launches, but international opportunities are expanding. Williams noted that in India, almonds are increasingly used beyond whole‑nut consumption and are seen as a high‑value ingredient in retail channels. Asia accounted for about a third of new almond product introductions in 2025, led by applications such as beverage innovations ranging from milk teas to malt drinks.

Expanding demand within the U.S. also includes campus foodservice venues. Emily Fleishmann, vice president of global market development at ABC, said colleges and universities present a strategic segment where young consumers experiment with foods and form long‑term habits.

“They are in control of their diets in ways they’ve never been before,” Fleishman said.

Marketing tests conducted with Schafer Condon Carter at university pop‑up events showed strong student interest, with high reported affinity for almonds after exposure to various almond products.

International market development efforts include exploring consumer campaigns, trade engagement and collaboration with food service partners to unlock potential in markets such as India, where health trends and premium positioning are reshaping demand. Dr. Amitoj Singh of Boston Consulting Group highlighted data showing diverse uses of almonds in food and personal care products.

Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California, said continued collaboration and innovation will be critical to building long‑term global demand for California almonds.