Almonds take center stage in the confectionery sector: innovation and taste drive the market
The global nut sector continues to grow, with almonds remaining in the spotlight thanks to their versatility and their ability to enrich a wide range of food products. Among all categories, confectionery is leading the adoption of new almond-based offerings, leveraging their potential in terms of sensory qualities and nutritional value, to innovate products and position them in the premium segment.
With their delicate flavor, natural crunch and compatibility with ingredients such as chocolate, caramel, fruit, and spices, almonds are used in multiple forms: whole, sliced, diced, or as flour. This variety allows producers of sweets, chocolates, bars, and bakery products to experiment with new flavors and textures, offering unique sensory experiences to consumers.
Why does confectionery represent a key category for almonds?
- Ingredient valorization: confectionery products make it possible to showcase the quality, origin and authenticity of almonds in a direct and appealing way, turning them into the true stars of the final product.
- Potential for excellence: almonds fit seamlessly into a category that rewards sensory experience and attention to quality, while meeting new regulatory requirements through high and certified standards, and aligning with consumer expectations.
- Impact on consumers: transparency and the use of wholesome, healthy and sustainable ingredients such as almonds strengthen consumer trust, delivering added value that goes beyond simple indulgence.
What are the latest consumption trends for nuts in confectionery?
Today, consumer interest is driven by experimentation with new flavors and pairings. According to Innova Market Insights’ 2024 report, almonds are among the most appreciated ingredients in the chocolate segment. As a matter of fact, almond flour is one of the fastest-growing ingredients in this sector (+31%), proving the increasing interest in innovative, healthy and gourmet products. Beyond taste, texture variations play a central role in creating chocolate-based confectionery, enabling producers to modulate textures and create unique multisensory experiences.
Among various trends, consumers continue to prioritize health. Thanks to their rich nutritional profile, almonds also cater to different needs and dietary styles, naturally excelling both in reduction benefits (lower sugar intake, gluten-free or lactose-free) and in added-value benefits (nutrient enrichment and health appeal). “Sugar-free” is, in fact, one of the main claims featured on products containing almond flour today. Likewise, new gluten-free products made with almonds and chocolate have recorded significant growth in recent years.
At Alfrus, we support the confectionery industry with carefully selected raw materials and advanced processing methods that ensure consistent quality, food safety and a distinctive sensory profile. Thanks to our expertise and ability to customize formats and solutions, we help brands develop innovative products that meet emerging trends and the expectations of increasingly conscious and informed consumers.
Confectionery is not only the number one category for new almond-based products, but also the creative laboratory where tradition, research and innovation come together to deliver increasingly memorable consumer experiences. Here, almonds take on the role of a catalyst, combining sensory satisfaction with well-being.
2nd September 2025
