Four things to know about pistachios
Tree of life
Living as long as 300 years, pistachio trees produce the greenish-purple nut—which is technically a seed—in grape-like clusters. Native to the Middle East and Central Asia, pistachio trees require little water and can survive extended droughts, making them an ideal crop for a warming planet.
Flavour takeover
Market research firm Fact.MR estimates demand for pistachios in Canada will advance at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% over a 10-year period ending in 2033. Global pistachio sales will increase to US$7.4 billion in 2033 from $4.5 billion in 2023, with Fact. MR attributing the growth of pistachios to “their increasing use as a flavour enhancer.
“Pistachios are showing up everywhere in our stores,” notes Teresa Spinelli, owner of five Italian Centre Shops in Alberta. There’s pistachio pestos (brands include Favuzzi, Dolgam and Pisti), pistachio ice cream and gelato (Pinocchio, Sicilian and Fantasia) and pistachio syrups for adding to lattes and other beverages (Monin). “Pistachio ice cream is very popular, and customers call to see if we have pistachio spreads because they frequently sell out,” says Spinelli.
Pistachios are also showing up in the healthy snacks category. Nomz is a Canadian brand of organic, vegan and gluten-free energy bites coated in a layer of coconut, hazelnut, almond or pistachio. “Our pistachio bites remain a standout—likely due to the novelty of pistachios in the snack space,” says Jana Zaibak, founder and CEO of Nomz, which also makes a pistachio spread.
READ: California farmers enjoy pistachio boom, with much of it headed to China
Decadent match
Offering a combination of salty and sweet flavours, chocolate pieces featuring pistachios enjoyed a CAGR of 57% for wrapped and 47% for unwrapped pieces over a five-year period (July 2019 to June 2024), according to North American tracking from Innova Market Insights.
“Nuts elevate chocolate from a simple indulgence to a luxurious experience, offering a delightful burst of both sweet and savoury notes,” says Lu Ann Williams, Innova’s global insights director. And there’s something even fancier about pistachios compared with other nuts. Perhaps that’s why more than one in four North American consumers favour pistachios as an “emerging flavour” in chocolate confectionery, according to a 2024 Innova survey.
Pistachios are also making their mark in nut spreads. Launches with pistachios in North America jumped 57% between July 2019 and June 2024, according to Innova.
This includes Pistachio Chocolate Almond Butter from Mumgry, a Vancouver-based all-natural nut butter brand that is carried at Vancouver’s Stong’s Market and Toronto’s Summerhill Market.
Health nut
“Pistachios are known for being packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, protein and fibre, and for helping to promote gut health,” says Edward Hilling, senior omni merchant, salty snacks, Walmart Canada. He says Walmart’s 454-gram bag of Great Value private-label pistachios is a top seller in the nut category. “These nutrient-rich nuts are also very versatile for grazing on long car journeys, snacking at home, or enhancing charcuterie or sharing platters,” says Hilling.
Given pistachios are enjoyed as a healthy snack, Michael Catalano, vice-president of sales, Canada for Wonderful Pistachios, recommends retailers cross-merchandise with fresh and dried fruits, “which is one of the reasons you can often find Wonderful Pistachios in or near the produce section.” Its No Shells line comes in various flavours, each with their own coloured packaging. “This invites grocers to display them in a colour-blocking pattern,” notes Catalano. “It’s an eye-catching arrangement that draws shoppers in.” For example, Wonderful’s top seller, Chili Roasted, is in red packaging and Sea Salt & Vinegar, its second bestseller, is in light blue.
This article was first published in Canadian Grocer’s November 2024 issue.
