Posts Tagged “global health trends”
According to market data agency Verified Market Reports, growth is driven primarily by the health trend, an increasing demand for organic and locally sourced fruits and vegetables, and a shift toward convenient, at-home, healthy eating.
North America leads in produce box demand, accounting for approximately 38 percent of total market revenue.
According to the report, in the US specifically, consumers seek consistent access to a diverse, high-quality range of national produce, which isn’t always easy depending on the state and region.
Violet Jordan, Sourcing and Fulfillment Manager at Chicago’s independent grocery store Forty Acre Fresh Market, has watched the business blossom from a subscription service into a bustling storefront.
Yet, the appetite for produce boxes remains as strong as ever.
She explained that the store opening prompted some customers to change their produce box subscriptions—from every week to every other week—so they could pick out products available at the brick-and-mortar location. To her, this reflects the audience’s commitment to healthy eating and a personal engagement with the local food system.
Forty Acre Fresh Market serves all of the Windy City, offering subscriptions that include local herbs and vegetables as well as a rotating selection of produce sourced nationwide.
“There aren’t many fruits grown in Chicago,” Jordan explained. “We’re sourcing from different growers, from here, the Midwest, Illinois—as long as it’s good quality, which is what our customers care about the most.”
But just as great-tasting produce, seasonality is also a crucial element driving subscriptions, she says.
“People want to cook in sync with the weather,” Jordan added. “Once we kind of hit fall and winter, I’m bringing in a lot more winter squashes or pumpkins. Once we get summer, I like to bring in some watermelon; a lot more fresh stuff.”
She explained that Forty Acre Fresh Market offers three types of produce boxes at different price points, which change weekly based on availability. However, the subscription model offers flexibility that greatly benefits the business, but demands a certain level of trust from the subscriber.
For example, after this year’s freezes in Florida, blueberries were scarce, so the team reached out to customers to ask about their preferred alternative—blackberries or strawberries.
“Sometimes our stock shifts with what we’re able to get in the price range—because we don’t want to get things that are super expensive and then have to pass that cost on to customers,” she explained.
Jordan noted that berries and greens are essential in the produce box, peaches are popular in summer, and watermelons are consistently well-received. She explained that a major benefit of the subscription is outsourcing decision-making to someone who understands seasonality and knows which categories and items to pick each time.
Overall, she believes the produce subscription box trend offers a unique experience, with continued demand driven by convenience and expert selection of seasonal produce.
by American Pistachio Growers
FRESNO, Calif. — American-grown pistachio consumption numbers are up globally and have increased substantially in international markets between 2015 and 2017. This is according to a report released recently by California State University, Fresno (CSUF) Department of Agricultural Business, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
The trend is welcomed by nutrition experts who tout the virtues of pistachios for their health properties. According to nutrition expert Mike Roussell, Ph.D., “Pistachios are the perfect addition to any eating plan for health-minded individuals as they offer a number of health benefits which result from their strong nutritional values, key amino acids, healthy fats, minerals like magnesium, and dietary fiber.”
The United States remains the largest producer of pistachios in the world with approximately 99 percent grown in California, where climate and precision agricultural practices produce high quality nuts. Paired with the fact that approximately 70 percent of pistachios grown in the U.S. are exported, this data shows how popular the nut is worldwide.
This increase in demand is likely due to global health trends and a growing body of scientific research that ties pistachios to a wide range of benefits, including weight management, blood sugar control and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
“We’re finding that not only is overall consumption of U.S. pistachios increasing, but consumers are also broadening their consumption timeframe,” said American Pistachio Growers (APG) Vice President of Global Marketing Judy Hirigoyen. “While nuts have traditionally been consumed during winter months and holidays, we’re seeing increases during spring and summer months as consumers learn about the health attributes pistachios have for athletic individuals and weight management.”
For this study, trends were reviewed in China, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – seven nations considered to be primary trade partners for U.S. pistachios. Additionally, the study includes India as an important emerging market. For the report, CSUF researchers used data for total pounds of pistachios traded across borders accessed from the Global Trade Atlas (GTA).
Global Pistachio Consumption
Germany has no in-country pistachio production, but has seen 84.2 percent growth in consumption over a three-year period. The U.S. share of market in 2017 was 45.4 percent, up 16.1 percent since 2015.
Spain has new plantings of pistachios, most of which will come into production within the next two to three years. There has been a consumption increase of 29.8 percent since 2015. U.S. share of market in 2017 was 31.7 percent, an increase of 31.6 percent since 2015.
Italy produces the Bronte pistachio, prized for its dark green color. Consumption of in-shell pistachios over the past three years has risen 41.2 percent. U.S. share of market in 2017 was 31 percent, an increase of 41.2 percent over 2015.
France produces no pistachios, and has seen a 20.1 percent consumption increase over the past three years. U.S. share of market in 2017 was 42.6 percent, which is 1.7 percent lower than 2015 share, although overall volume for U.S. product is up.
United Kingdom produces no pistachios. Since 2015, there has been a 34.4 percent decline in overall pistachio consumption. However, the U.S. gained 219.6 percent share of market in 2017, with a share of 68.6 percent, thus more than doubling consumption of American pistachios.
South Korea has no pistachio production. There has been a 47.2 percent increase of pistachio consumption since 2015. The U.S. has maintained nearly 100 percent share of market in South Korea.
India’s pistachio market is dominated by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, which have conducted pistachio trade with India for hundreds of years. However, the U.S. pistachio industry has seen its market share grow 146.7 percent over the past year. Overall consumption of the nut has increased by 49.6 percent over the past three years.
China has nominal pistachio production and is, by far, the largest consuming nation of pistachios. There has been an increase of 182.4 percent in consumption over the past three years. The U.S. share of the market totaled 96.6 percent in 2017, a 74 percent increase over three years.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers is a trade association representing more than 800 members who are pistachio growers, processors and industry partners in California, Arizona and New Mexico. For more information, visit AmericanPistachios.org.