Snack World - May 1, 2011 - (Page 28)

S TA T E O F T H E I N D U S T R Y R E P O R T SNACK NUTS & SEEDS Investing in Innovation Perceived by consumers as a healthier alternative to pretzels and chips, snack nuts and seeds has seen its sales increase in recent years. According to the executive summary of a recent report by Mintel, “Perhaps more so than other salty snacks segments, snack nuts and seeds have aggressively been investing in innovation to raise awareness and drive sales.” The report noted that nuts had the second-highest number of product launches between 2005 and 2010, which it added has been a factor in the segment’s fairly consistent sales gains during that same period. Mintel attributed gains in the category to growth of private label products, as well as brands such as “Wonderful Pistachios, which has received heavy marketing support from its parent company, Paramount Farms.” The report added, “These results demonstrate how name brands and private label can successfully co-exist in the same segment by effectively connecting with their respective audiences.” As far as new product introductions go, David Seeds from ConAgra Foods, Omaha, NE, introduced Jumbo Seeds in three flavors. The company said that Jumbo seeds, which are larger in size, are ideal for those new to “seeding.” They are available in new Hot and Spicy and Buffalo Style Ranch flavors, as well as the all-time consumer favorite, Original. “The two new flavors bring spicy, more intense flavors to seeds, meeting consumer desire for hot and spicy flavors — the fastest-growing new flavor in salty snacks — and the large seeds provide an easier shell-cracking experience,” the company stated. According to SymphonyIRI’s SFA Panel Report covering all outlets in the US, the $3 billion snack nuts/seeds/corn nuts category increased dollar sales by 2.5% for the 52 weeks ending Feb. 20, 2011. Snack nuts, by far the largest segment with $2.8 billion in annual sales, grew 2.7% during the last year. Sunflower/pumpkin seeds, with annual sales of $152 million, experienced a 2.9% decline in dollar sales. Dollar sales of toasted corn nuts grew 20% during the 52-week period; however, it is by far the smallest segment with only $21.6 million in sales, according the SFA Panel Report. — Shane Whitaker Top Nut, Seed and Corn Nut Brands Brand (segment) / Vendor Dollar Sales ($mil) 2,026.0 1,873.9 138.6 13.5 648.8 396.9 157.2 124.5 103.9 44.8 40.8 30.4 30.0 19.6 18.8 17.1 16.4 15.2 14.5 12.8 Dollar Sales % Change 5.5 5.5 4.2 15.3 3.2 0.3 9.4 23.3 12.8 (2.0) 1.7 NA 22.2 11.5 48.1 (1.4) (0.9) 16.5 107.5 9.1 Unit Sales (mil) 661.6 555.7 96.3 9.6 187.4 111.9 44.6 40.4 17.4 31.2 8.2 8.6 15.2 8.0 4.4 25.9 23.8 5.0 3.1 2.0 Unit Sales Volume Volume Sales % Change Sales % Change (mil lb) 4.8 5.2 1.8 12.6 3.9 1.0 1.9 28.6 (14.6) (2.2) 4.5 NA 15.4 13.6 38.8 (3.0) (0.6) 14.1 126.4 0.9 448.5 403.4 42.1 3.0 154.2 92.7 21.9 24.7 15.1 11.3 5.0 4.4 13.1 10.2 4.3 4.9 2.7 1.6 2.0 1.8 5.1 4.1 15.3 19.0 5.6 0.3 8.5 23.2 (13.8) (2.2) 3.2 NA 74.6 10.5 36.9 (0.9) (0.8) 13.7 87.1 (8.6) Snack Nuts/Seeds/Corn Nuts - total Snack nuts - total Sunﬂower/pumpkin seeds - total Toasted corn nut snacks - total Private label (snack nuts) Planters (snack nuts)/Kraft Foods, Inc. Blue Diamond (snack nuts)/Blue Diamond Growers Emerald (snack nuts)/Diamond Foods, Inc. Wonderful Pistachios (snack nuts)/Paramount Farms David (seeds)/ConAgra Foods, Inc. Planters Nutrition (snack nuts)/Kraft Foods, Inc. Wonderful (snack nuts)/Paramount Farms, Inc. Private label (seeds) Hampton Farms (snack nuts)/Hampton Farms Suntree (snack nuts)/Hampton Farms Frito-Lay (seeds)/Frito-Lay North America, Inc. Frito-Lay (snack nuts)/Frito-Lay North America, Inc. Nature Valley Nut Clusters (snack nuts)/General Mills Everybody’s Nuts (snack nuts)/Paramount Farms, Inc. Keenan Farms (snack nuts)/Keenan Farms, Inc. Source: InfoScan Reviews Total US - Supermarkets, Drugstores and Mass Merchandisers (excluding Wal-Mart) 52 Weeks Ending Feb. 20, 2011 28 Snack World May 2011 www.sfa.org BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEAT AND CONTROL, MANE, PRINTPACK, INC., AND J.R. SHORT http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - May 1, 2011

Snack World - May 1, 2011
Contents
Letter from SFA - Progress and Advocacy
Supplier’s Corner - Onward and Upward
Government Affairs - SFA on the March
Government Affairs - Change Ahead
State of the Industry Report - Brands are Back
For More Research on Snacks
Natural Chips Reign Supreme
Top Potato Chip Brands
TORTILLA CHIPS - Tackling Hot Trends
PRETZELS - Healthy and Beyond
SNACK CRACKERS - The More Healthful Snack
Top Pretzel Brands
Top Snack Cracker Brands
COOKIES - Decadently Healthy
CORN SNACKS - The Scoop on Corn Chips
Top Corn Snack Brands
SNACK NUTS & SEEDS - Investing in Innovation
Top Nut, Seed and Corn Nut Brands
CHEESE SNACKS - Say Cheese to New Snacks
Top Cheese Snack Brands
PORK RINDS - Still on a Fast Track
Top Pork Rind Brands
MEAT SNACKS - Meating High Expectations
Top Meat Snack Brands
READY-TO-EAT POPCORN - Expanding Indulgence
Top RTE Popc orn/Caramel C orn Brands
MICROWAVE POPCORN - Convenience and Health
OTHER SALTED SNACKS - Catch-all Segment Builds With Variety
Top Microwave Popcorn Brands
Top Other Salted Snack Brands
SALSA AND DIPS - Salsa Dips, Dips Rise
Top Salsa and Dip Brands
Innovative and Educational …
Earl Wise Sr. Enters Circle of Honor
Overheard at SnaxPro
Get Ready for SNAXPO 2012: Celebrating 75 Years
New Snacks
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - May 1, 2011