Nut/nougat spreads are sweet spreads made primarily from ground nuts or nougat, combined with sugar, oils, and other ingredients to create a smooth, spreadable texture. The most popular nut used in nut spreads is hazelnut, but other nuts such as almonds, peanuts, and cashews can also be used.
Nut/nougat spreads are often used as a spread on bread, toast, or crackers, and can also be used as a topping for desserts or as an ingredient in baking recipes. They are typically sold in jars or tubs in grocery stores and supermarkets and may come in different flavors, such as chocolate or vanilla.
One of the most well-known brands of nut spread is Nutella, which is made from hazelnuts, cocoa powder, sugar, and palm oil. Other popular brands include Jif, Skippy, and Justin's. Nut/nougat spreads are a popular snack and ingredient in many countries around the world.
The market for nut/nougat spreads is growing steadily, driven by increasing demand for convenient, tasty, and healthy breakfast options. The global nut/nougat spread market size was valued at USD 7.21 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 9.88 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 4.1% from 2021 to 2028.
The market for nut/nougat spreads is segmented by type, distribution channel, and region. Hazelnut spread is the most popular type of nut spread, accounting for the majority of the market share. Almond, peanut, and cashew spreads are also gaining popularity.
The distribution channels for nut/nougat spreads include supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retailers, and others. Supermarkets/hypermarkets account for the largest share of the market, followed by online retailers, as e-commerce has become increasingly popular for grocery shopping.
North America and Europe are the largest markets for nut/nougat spreads, with the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom being the leading countries in terms of consumption. Asia-Pacific is also a growing market, with increasing demand for nut/nougat spreads in countries such as China, Japan, and India.
The major players in the Market for Nut/nougat spreads are as follows:
1. Ferrero SpA
2. The Hershey Company
3. Nestle S.A.
4. Hormel Foods Corporation
5. Unilever
The commercial production of nut/nougat spreads typically involves the following steps:
1. Roasting and Grinding of Nuts: The nuts, such as hazelnuts or peanuts, are roasted to enhance their flavor and then ground into a paste.
2. Mixing with Other Ingredients: The nut paste is mixed with other ingredients such as sugar, milk powder, and cocoa powder to achieve the desired flavor and consistency.
3. Refining: The mixture is refined through a series of rollers to make it smooth and creamy.
4. Adding Emulsifiers: Emulsifiers such as soy lecithin are added to the mixture to prevent separation and give the spread a smooth texture.
5. Packaging: The finished product is packaged in jars or tubs and then shipped to retailers.
Commercial production of nut/nougat spreads is typically carried out using industrial equipment and processes. The process is highly automated to ensure consistent quality and to meet the demands of large-scale production. The equipment used includes roasters, grinders, mixers, refiners, and packaging machines. The production process is monitored at various stages to ensure that the product meets the desired quality standards.