The snack market has seen its share of ups and downs, as evidenced in SF&WB’s recent State of the Industry coverage. However, the state of the nuts and snack mix category has fared relatively well—overall, the field has enjoyed a slight uptick, while some of the top-ranked performers experiencing notable growth, thanks to consumers hungering for protein-packed snacks.

MARKET DATA
Products under the “snack nuts/seeds/corn nuts” column overall ticked up slightly, with $7.4 billion in sales for the 52-week period ending October 5, 2025, according to market data from Circana (Chicago). That figure represents a modest gain of 1.3% compared to the previous period, but a gain nonetheless.

Source: Circana OmniMarket™ Total Store View | Geography : Total US - Multi Outlet w/ C-Store (Grocery, Drug, Mass Market, Convenience, Military and Select Club & Dollar Retailers) | Time : Latest 52 Weeks Ending 10-05-25

The snack nuts subcategory also gained modestly (the $6.6 billion in dollar sales comprising a 0.7% increase), with top-ranked players experiencing a mix of ups and downs for the year. Private-label products led the way—the $3.2 billion in sales, a 3.5% increase, representing nearly half of the total sales in the column. Brand leaders include:

• Wonderful: $975.5 million, down 3.3%
• Hormel Foods: $900.1 million, down 3.6%
• Blue Diamond Growers: $496 million, a loss of 2.9%

The subcategory also had some impressive gains, most notably Setton Farms’ $30.7 million representing a 51.4% gain over the previous period.

The nutritional snacks/trail mixes subcategory also had a modest uptick—a gain of 1.7% compared to the prior year brought it to $1.8 billion in dollar sales. Private label once again topped the list, with $974.8 million in sales and a slight loss of 0.3%. The top-ranked players, which saw mostly gains, include:

• Gourmet Nut: $122.1 million, a 27.2% increase
• Kar’s Nuts, owned by Second Nature Brands: $85.7 million, up 1.8%
• Cibo Vita: $84.2 million, an increase of 4.3%

The snack seeds subcategory had a healthier increase compared to the above—a jump of 6.2% compared to the previous year-long period brought it to $754 million. Private-label seeds brought in $93.5 million, a drop of 8.5%. Here, the top-ranked producers include:

• Conagra Brands: $359.8 million, up 3.2%
• Frito-Lay: $89.5 million, a 5.3% drop
• Freeland Foods: $76.7 million, up 38.4%

Looking back
Nuts and snack mixes have been holding steady thanks in part to their appeal to snackers that are concerned with health as well as hunger.

“Consumers are looking for snacks that are convenient, filling, and offer some nutritional value,” observes Tim Bortner, brand manager with Hormel Foodservice. “In nuts and trail mixes, that means portable protein they can grab on the go, along with bold flavors and new textures that keep things interesting, and nuts continue to be the star of the category, they deliver the protein and energy people want, which is why nuts-forward mixes are standing out on shelves.”

Michael Axelrod, CEO of Snak King, adds, “Balancing portion control with taste is in high demand; consumers want to manage their calorie intake without compromising flavor.”

Ashley Wilson, brand manager with Kar’s and Second Nature, says she has noticed that in addition to providing nutritional benefits, nut-based snacks that also offer consumers the feeling of treating themselves resonate.

“Over the past year, consumers have increasingly gravitated toward functional snacking—seeking options that strike the balance between indulgence and purposeful nutrition,” she says. “This includes a growing preference for protein- and fiber-rich mixes, better-for-you ingredients, and globally inspired flavor profiles.”

Jeff Nichols, VP of supply chain and grower relations with Nichols Farms, says one of the most popular snack nuts is pistachios, for several reasons.

“Pistachios are one of the few nuts that contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete plant protein, something consumers are increasingly aware of as more people shift toward high protein and plant forward diets,” he shares. “They are naturally rich in antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health, and they contribute to heart health with their favorable monounsaturated fat profile. You are seeing more brands call out protein, fiber, antioxidants, and heart healthy fats right on the front of the package because those claims resonate.”

Joseph Setton, Setton Farms’ executive VP, concurs that pistachios are having a moment, which has proven to be beneficial for producers incorporating the nut in their items.

“Setton Farms continues to grow alongside the pistachio industry, which just finished a record-breaking crop,” he says. “We do not foresee a slowdown as demand for healthy, delicious, and convenient snacks continues to rise. We thank our grower partners and employees for creating the best pistachio snacks available and our fans for allowing us to grow and innovate.”

Additionally, according to Ed Schultz, president/CEO of Mauna Loa brand owner Hawaiian Host Group, the popularity of macadamias has proven beneficial to the company.

“Mauna Loa stands out as the fastest-growing brand in both dollar and unit sales year-over-year,” he states. “We’ve grown our brand share to more than 80% of the macadamia segment, driving the overall category forward. Our growth is powered by expanded distribution across major retailers like Target, Publix and Albertsons, and by the rising popularity of macadamias themselves, as the fastest-growing nut type across households.”

Consumers also continue showing interest in novel and global flavors across the snack spectrum, and the nuts/mixes category is no exception. Chuza, a producer of dried fruits and other foods with Latin flavors, recently launched a line of trail mixes. Like its previous products, the trail mixes incorporate ingredients and flavors from Mexican cuisine.

“A trend we have seen is the desire for multi-sensory experiences and bold and global flavors, notes Chuza founder Daniel Schwartz. “That is why our new range of Chuza trail mixes brings all these exciting elements to life.”

The Chuza mix line includes three versions: Clásico, which features a blend of dried fruits and nuts; Barrio, a take on bar mixes, with corn nuts, sesame chips, and other crunchy bits; and Tropical, with dried pineapple, sesame chips, and a blend of nuts.

Bortner says consumers reach for nuts and snack mixes every day, but special occasions and holidays also provide producers with innovation opportunities.

“The holiday season remains a strong moment for us, and this year we brought back fan favorites like Apple Cider Donut Cashews and Cinnamon Butter Pecans, while adding new items such as Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Cashews,” he reports. “We’re also expanding our flavored cashews lineup with Spicy Garlic Chili Crisps Cashews (available now at Walmart and rolling out nationally in January 2026). Overall, we’re energized by the momentum in our portfolio and excited to keep bringing fresh innovation to consumers.”

Setton says recent innovations from his company include a blend of tradition, adventure, and heat.

“Setton’s most recent launch, Pistachio Pub Mix, is an elevated version of the classic pub snack featuring our family’s naturally seasoned Buffalo Wing Seasoned Pistachio Kernels, a blend of spicy cayenne pepper, bold paprika and a dash of vinegar,” he describes. “Combined with crunchy ranch corn nuggets, savory sesame chips, and hickory almonds, it is a satisfying snack choice for game day or whenever hunger strikes.”

Nichols says staying on top of consumer trends is key; Nichols Farms does so through a combination of data, analytical tools, and other resources.

“Our marketing team is constantly testing new flavors and gathering real-time feedback from customers and buyers,” he notes. “This mix of data-driven insights and direct product testing helps us stay ahead of what consumers are looking for and quickly respond to emerging trends.”

Diana Salsa, VP of marketing for Wonderful Pistachios, says the company uses internal tools to dive into consumer preferences to inform product planning.

“We have an in-house research and insights team dedicated to understanding consumer preferences and behaviors,” she shares. “They leverage a combination of category data, shopper studies, and trend analysis to identify emerging opportunities and inform our innovation and marketing strategies. This helps ensure Wonderful Pistachios continues to meet evolving consumer needs and stay ahead of snacking trends.

Looking ahead
Axelrod advises that the favorable performance of store-branded products and competitively priced items in the category is likely to continue, something producers should consider when planning the road ahead.

“Private label demand has grown exponentially in this era of price inflation in branded snacks over the past few years,” he says. “Snak King is well-positioned to handle this demand; we have the scalability of a large manufacturer but remain nimble enough to respond quickly to our customers and consumers’ needs.”

Axelrod adds that Snak King is exploring a range of options and innovations for the coming months, including protein-boosted treats, BFY sweetener options, portion-control packaging, and adventurous flavors: “We’re developing bold, flavor-forward concepts—from sweet-and-spicy and fruit-forward profiles to globally inspired ideas like churro, ube, and tres leches. Indulgent flavors such as s’mores, salted caramel, and birthday cake also continue to resonate.”

Schwartz says because Chuza’s blend of flavor-forward products and Latin tastes have caught consumer attention in recent months, the company will continue in that vein.

“In the upcoming year, we will continue bringing bold and authentic flavors to the market, sharing our Mexican flavors, culture, and flair and expand our retail presence, as well as introducing new SKUs and category extensions for Chuza,” he shares.

Wilson says the nut and snack mix lines in the Second Nature Brands stable will offer a number of attributes that hit key consumer trends and preferences.

“Second Nature Brands enters 2026 with a robust innovation pipeline that continues to focus on mindful indulgence, global flavor influences, and wellness-forward snacking,” adding that upcoming launches include seasonal treats like Kar’s Holly Jolly Crunch Mix, and exotic flavor mashups like Sahale Blueberry Yuzu Almonds.

“These releases build on the brand’s commitment to meeting consumers where they are—seeking flavor adventure, functional benefits, and feel-good snacking experiences,” she says.

Schwarz says the Mauna Loa team plans to expand distribution, deepen retail partnerships, and roll out new flavors and formats in 2026.

“We’ll be rolling out our new Kapua Estates line, which celebrates estate-grown macadamias from our historic orchard on the sun-kissed southwest side of Kona, crafted to capture a true sense of place,” he previews. “We’ll also be launching two new flavors to Amazon in early 2026: Sea Salt & Vinegar and Pineapple Habanero.”

Salsa shares that among Wonderful’s product launches and innovations for the coming months includes an item that builds upon the success of a recent item that features an on-trend taste.

“We’re also expanding our award-winning No Shells Dill Pickle flavor (previously a convenience store exclusive) to grocery retailers nationwide in early 2026, debuting a 5.5-oz resealable bag that makes it easier than ever for fans to get their hands on our latest No Shells flavor,” she tells.

While Nichols is not able to share a sneak peek at Nichol Farms’ upcoming products, he relates the company plans to work toward exploring ways to deepen connections with consumers in retail environments.

“In-store displays are one of our biggest priorities for the coming year,” he states. “Better visibility and easier shopper engagement are key to growing the category, and we are investing heavily in that direction.” SF&WB