The nuts, seeds, and trail mix category has a well-established reputation as healthy, natural snack food yet didn’t match the performances of other snack categories during 2020. Although at-home food consumption has grown during the pandemic, category performance was impacted by reduced impulse food purchases from convenience channels. Products in the category align with many of the contemporary BFY qualities that consumers seek: nutrient density, protein and plant based that can support adherence to popular specialty diets. Still, the category can use a refresh to increase participation among important consumer groups with new flavors, functionalities and inspiration for use and new occasions through recipes.

• The impact of COVID-19 on nuts, seeds and trail mix

• Market opportunities

• Consumption changes of nuts, seeds and trail mix

• Appealing product attributes

This Report builds on the analysis presented in Mintel’s Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mix – US, August 2018 and the same title in June 2016 in addition to the Chips, Popcorn, Nuts, and Dips – US, January 2014, Nuts and Dried Fruit—US, August 2012, and the January 2011, July 2009, July 2007, February 2006, and February 2004 Reports of the same title.

This Report covers the following segments:

• Snack nuts

• Sunflower/pumpkin seeds

• Nutritional snacks/trail mixes

Excluded from the scope of this Report are nuts and dried fruit that are coated in yogurt or chocolate. Also excluded from this Report are nuts and dried fruit sold by weight/in bulk.

The first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the US in January 2020. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health pandemic, and on March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency in the US.

Across the US, state-level stay-at-home orders rolled out throughout the months of March and April, and remained in place through May, and in some cases June. During this time, referred to as lockdown, nonessential businesses and school districts across the nation closed or shifted to remote operations.

During re-emergence, all 50 states have relaxed stay-at-home orders and allowed businesses to operate with varying levels of social distancing measures in place. The continued spread of COVID-19 infections has driven some states to slow down or reverse course on reopening plans. Mintel anticipates the US will remain in a state of flux through 2021 until a vaccine is available.

This forecast and subsequent Report assumes the following:

• Unemployment will remain at 10.6% in 2020 before incrementally improving over the next five years.

• US GDP will decline 5.8% in 2020 and increase 4% in 2021, followed by continuous increases until 2025.

• Consumer confidence rests at 81.2 as of October 2020. This is a 9.4-point improvement from its low of 71.8 in April, indicating that consumer confidence is on an upswing and could improve throughout the rest of the year.