Almost three quarters (73 percent) of the nation's consumers reported purchasing specialty foods in 2007, up nearly nine percent in just one year. According to Mintel’s October 2007 Specialty Foods Report, increased international travel is one leading driver of this influential food trend.

Mintel defines specialty foods as those products that are of premium quality such as high-end chocolate, coffee or cooking oil. Products included in this category are also referred to as 'premium', 'fancy' and 'gourmet'. Nuts, too, fit the bill. Consumer research conducted in 2006 showed that 39 percent of consumers consider hazelnuts to be specialty nut.*

According to the Mintel study, the category is significantly boosted by international travelers. These consumers are likely to embrace international food traditions and return to the U.S. with a new interest in finding the same ingredients in their hometowns.

This includes the search for hazelnuts, a highly popular nut in Europe. There has been a 12 percent increase from 2003 to 2006 in the amount of consumers who eat hazelnuts between once a month and daily.¹

Looking to the future, Mintel suggests that specialty manufacturers and retailers are likely to continue to find an audience for their products as consumers' interest in new flavors continues to grow.

1 Hazelnut Council – 2006 Consumer Attitudes Study: Americans See Nuts as Tasty, Healthy & Indulgent
*Of consumers who have tried hazelnuts.

< PREVIOUS ARTICLE

U.S. food companies, request your free hazelnut sample!

NEXT ARTICLE >