Nuts…diversity in flavors and countries of origin, and almonds, walnuts and pistachios are the most in demand

A field survey conducted by “Emirates Today” in major sales outlets in the markets revealed the presence of about 37 brands of various types of nut products, while almonds, walnuts and pistachios are among the highest in demand among the types of nuts.

The survey also showed that there is a great diversity in the source of these nuts and the countries of origin supplying the local market, while packaged brands in the country’s markets locally accounted for the largest shares of the commercial supply in the market.

The survey revealed the mechanism of displaying nuts in the markets, as they are sold loose “by weight”, or wrapped in bags and packages, in addition to being sold in different flavors to suit different tastes.

Two officials in the retail trade sector confirmed to Emirates Today that sales of nuts usually witness a remarkable increase during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, with rates exceeding 60% compared to normal days.

Great variety

In detail, a field survey conducted by Emirates Today in major retail outlets in local markets in Dubai and Sharjah showed the presence of about 37 brands of nut products of various types.

The survey revealed a great diversity in the countries of origin supplying nuts to the country’s markets, most notably: India, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom, as well as products from Latin American countries such as Chile and Brazil, while packaged products in the country’s markets accounted for the largest shares of the market supply.

The field survey showed the diversity of the way these nuts are sold, as some liqueurs are sold in bulk (kilograms and their weight categories), while others are offered in plastic, metal, or glass containers, or bags of different weights.

The most prominent nut products available in the market include: walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, macadamia nuts, and Brazil nuts, in addition to a mixture of Asian nuts originating from countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Japan.

The survey also showed the presence of a large number of nut products from brands belonging to “cooperatives” and “hypermarket” outlets, as each brand is sold exclusively within the sales outlet, at prices that are usually lower than the prices of other brands, to encourage consumers to buy them.

Flavors and specifications

Nuts are sold in outlets with different flavors: salted and roasted, others without salting or roasting, or smoked, while types are sold with pepper, lemon, caramel, and “barbecue” flavors. Some are also offered with sesame added to them, or mixed with dried fruits, or covered with chocolate.

Nuts are available in the market with healthy specifications for customers who follow special diets or diets, as these products are characterized by low salt, and are free of oils or any artificial colors.

Organic products

According to the field survey, organic Brazil nuts are considered the highest price on the market, with the price of a 250-gram package reaching about 50 dirhams. In general, organic nut products are sold at higher prices than their conventional counterparts, and loose nut products (by weight) are usually sold at prices that are usually lower than packaged products, whether in bags or packages, while peanuts are considered the least expensive type of nuts on the market.

High sales

A sales official at a retail outlet, Muhammad Bashir, told Emirates Today: “Nut products in general witness an increase in demand during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr seasons, as their sales during that period exceed about 60%, compared to normal days.”

He added, “Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are among the highest-demand types of nuts, because they are included in the components of a large number of meals prepared by communities residing in the country.”

He explained, “Most of the orders are made for loose nuts compared to canned or packaged ones, because they are less expensive, in addition to allowing the consumer the freedom to buy the weight he needs and the budget he sets for it, without being restricted by the weights and prices of bags and ready-made cans.”

For his part, Dilip Vishal, director of purchasing at a retail outlet, said, “The nut markets in the country are witnessing great diversity and variation, which meets the different needs of consumers of different nationalities in the country.”

He explained that “nut products are in high demand during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr seasons, because these products are associated with or included in meal components, or are eaten more during that period,” pointing out that “the growth rates of nut sales during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr reach about 60% compared to normal days.”

He attributed the availability of packaged nuts in the country largely to the fact that many supplying companies prefer to package these products locally after importing them, in order to obtain greater financial returns compared to the cost of importing them in ready-packed form from the countries of origin.

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Nuts.. health benefits

Nuts in general contain many health benefits, as they contain good proportions of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body, which maintain heart health and prevent many diseases.

Nuts also help reduce harmful cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of blood clots and high blood pressure, thanks to their containment of unsaturated fatty acids.

Among the health benefits of nuts is that they are useful in managing weight and feeling full, thanks to their richness in fiber and healthy fats, which contribute to weight control, in addition to the fact that the body does not absorb all of their calories.

Nuts contain substances that help support brain health, especially walnut products, which contain vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, which helps protect the brain and enhance its functions with age.

Nuts are a useful product for diabetics, as they are an ideal choice for diabetics, because they are rich in healthy fats that help regulate blood sugar levels, especially with their low carbohydrate content. They are also beneficial for bone and nerve health, as they contain magnesium and potassium, which contribute to strengthening bones and supporting nerve health.

On the other hand, reports warn that some nuts may be harmful to some people who may suffer from allergies to some types of nuts, in addition to the fact that “excessive” consumption of some nuts in large quantities threatens rapid weight gain.

Reports have also warned that storing nuts in the wrong way exposes them to high humidity, which causes them to be exposed to fungi that secrete fungal toxins, thus increasing the chances of health risks. Therefore, it is advised to stay away from nuts that contain fungi or have an unpleasant odor.

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Nuts brands

“Bayara”, “Lulu”, “Halabi”, “Best”, “Al-Rifai”, “Crunchos”, “Cyberger”, “Woodstock”, “Carrefour”, “Union”, “Original Food”, “Sharjah Coop”, “Bassi”, “Nigeria”, “Ding Dong”, “Agrofino”, “Mawa”, “Criquita”, “My Finest”, “Goodness”, “Zeba”, “Earth Goods”, “Prime Nuts”, “Nuty Nuts”, “American Harvest”, “Al Douri”, “Liwa Gate”, “Mina”, “Bix”, “Los Pinos”, “Master”, “Organic Larder”, “Natural’s Choice”, “Nourir”, “Castenia”, “Elan”, “Madhur”.

. Local markets witness the display of about 37 brands of various types of nut products.

. Organic Brazil nuts are the most expensive. The price of a 250-gram package is about 50 dirhams.