The Cracker magazine, March 2014

Cracker The

March 2014 Edition 61, No.1

The Official Voice of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation for the World Nut and Dried Fruit Trade

MELBOURNE WELCOMES XXXIII CONGRESS 20-22 MAY

SPECIAL REPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA INC UNVEILS SUPERHERO FILM www.nutfruit.org

Image Capture

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The machine has the ability to see true color and precisely sort a wide range of tree nuts, even those with small shade differences and all types of foreign material.

Typical Defects Removed Subtle color differences, foreign material (hulls, peewees, shell, sticks, glass , stones), insect damage, mold and decaying product.

RGB Full Color Technology Evolution RGB utilizes proprietary software to combine the response from the red/green/blue (RGB) camera to form a 3D color space. The EVO RGB combines these responses in a manner that very closely imitates the human eye response to color.

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Cracker The

March 2014 Edition 61 INTERNATIONAL NUT AND DRIED FRUIT COUNCIL FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Giles Hacking - Chairman CG Hacking & Sons Limited, UK Pino Calcagni - Vice Chairman V. Besana S.P.A., Italy Mark Mariani - Vice Chairman Mariani Packing Company, USA Jordi Martí - Treasurer and General Secretary Borges S.A.U., Spain Thomas Apfel Max Kiene GmbH, Germany Asadollah Asgaroladi Hassas Export Co. Ltd., Iran Cheng Hung Kay CHK Trading Co. Ltd., Hong Kong Mark Jansen Blue Diamond Growers, USA Zhou Jinkui Fenzhou Yuyuan Native Produce, China Barry Kriebel Sun-Maid Growers of California, USA Ashok Krishen Olam International Limited, Singapore Maarten Leerdam Intersnack Group GmbH & Co. KG, Germany Jack Mariani Mariani Nut Company, USA Mark Magnesen Planters / Kraft Foods, USA Stephen Meltzer Balcorp Ltd., Canada Pratap Nair Vijayalaxmi Cashew Company, India Osman Oz Aegean Exporters Associations, Turkey Antonio Pont - Honorary President Borges S.A.U., Spain Sabit Sabir Sabirlar Findik Ihracat Ltd. Sti., Turkey Berton Steir Paramount - Roll International Corp., USA Dick Walden The Green Valley Pecan Company, USA Michael Waring MWT Foods, Australia Cuneyd Zapsu Balsu A.S., Turkey Bian Zhen-hu/ Chen Ying China Chamber of Commerce, China EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Giles Hacking – Chairman Pino Calcagni - Vice Chairman Mark Mariani - Vice Chairman Jack Mariani Antonio Pont Berton Steir Michael Waring Cuneyd Zapsu Goretti Guasch - Executive Director SENATORS

Hubert Berrebi, France Helmut Dankert, Germany Raoul Gamon, France Chris Hacking, UK Walter F. Payne, USA Abbas Rafii, Luxembourg Don Soetaert, USA James Swink, USA Jack Taillie, Netherlands Frank Vaerewijck, Belgium Doug Youngdahl, USA THE CRACKER EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Giles Hacking – Chairman Susan Brauner – Editor Goretti Guasch – Executive Director Graphic Design by:

Legal Deposit: B-7497-1989

www.nutfruit.org

The Official Voice of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation for the World Nut and Dried Fruit Trade

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FEATURED ARTICLES

INDEX

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WORLD NEWS

25 INC Ambassadors

While low fat diet falls out of favor, nutrition information ranks #1 for consumers; consumers prefer low calorie and convenient innovation according to survey; chocolate outlook for 2014 is for higher prices.

57 Statistical Outlook 89 Advertisers

26 Special report Australia’s Nuts for Life Team launches new website and logo as nutrition information takes center stage for consumers; an inside look at Australian production and demand growth as future insider predictions indicate more to come; marketing secrets are revealed for communicating the message directly to consumers in Australia.

34 Melbourne Congress Nearly sold out venues in Melbourne are ready to warm hearts, while participants stand ready to receive the latest production and demand news from Down Under at the 20-22 May XXXIII INC Congress. Catch the unveiling of INC’s new superhero film hosted by some soon to be really big stars!

57 Mid-Season Statistics It’s mid-season statistical reporting time and an opportunity to view the latest production statistics before they are updated in May at the Melbourne Congress where future casts will also be revealed by industry experts.

74 WORLD INDUSTRY NEWS CA Almond Board reveals new social media plans; American Pistachio Growers NFL superstar nutrition team signs on to nutrition education program; Nucis Italy hosts successful outreach program with local retailers; Pistachio Institute sponsors research in India for healthier lifestyles; Nucis Germany to host nutrition congress in June; Pecan association working to marry global flavors with American taste preferences; India market access granted to Walnut industry.

COVER PHOTO:

Courtesy of INC Secretariat.

92 Record Nut Nutrition News Three new nut health studies generate multi-millions of news stories around the world featuring revelations about lowering pancreatic cancer in women, how nuts can extend lives and reduce metabolic syndrome and obesity among consumers who eat an ounce per week.

PERMANENT SECRETARIAT OF INC

Goretti Guasch, Executive Director Carrer de la Fruita Seca 4, Polígon Tecnoparc, 43204 Reus, Spain Tel: +34 977 331 416 | Fax: +34 977 315 028 E-mail: inc@nutfruit.org | Web: www.nutfruit.org The Cracker is published three times a year by the International Tree Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation (Fundacio Privada International Tree Nut CIF G-43738475). This magazine including all articles and illustrations, is copyright protected.

Any utilization beyond the light limits set by the Copyright Act is subject to publisher’s approval.

All trademarks, brand identities and graphic images shown in this publication are the property of their respective owners.

While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to press, they can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that may appear or loss suffered directly or indirectly by any reader as a result of any advertisement, editorial, photographs or other materials published in the Cracker.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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Chairman’s commentary

Greetings from a very wet and windy London!

Well, it is now official…January has been the wettest month in the UK since records have existed. Much of the South West part of the UK is under water, while the insurance industry faces a multibillion dollar claim for damage caused to properties in the area!

This is in stark contrast, however, to the news from California where the state is suffering from the most severe drought ever faced and according to some experts, possibly the driest conditions in over 500 years. Meanwhile, the Mid West and Eastern Coast of America has endured an incredibly harsh winter, with record breaking snowfall and subzero temperatures affecting businesses across the board. Yes, weather patterns are indeed tumultuous and Mother Nature still reigns supreme!

It is fascinating to learn that all of these phenomena are linked to an enormous ‘ball’ of warm water in the Gulf of Alaska. This ‘ball’ is forcing the jet stream to run further North of California than it normally would, before it ‘troughs’ in the Mid West and Eastern USA, pulling down the cold air and wintery conditions from the North, in what is now known as a ‘polar vortex’.

This jet stream then oscillates unnaturally towards the UK and the European continent, bringing unseasonably wet weather.

This detailed information may be more than you bargained for, but it does serve to remind us how vulnerable we are to fluctuations in weather patterns and how it affects our industry. Because we believe that understanding climate change is the best way to prepare ourselves for on- going production patterns of nuts and dried fruits, INC is currently laying the foundation for a weather project. It will provide us with the latest and most accurate information to generally determine global weather patterns and enable us to capitalize on our strategic direction both as producers or consumers.

As I write this column, the INC secretariat is already en route to Dubai where we will be exhibiting at GULF FOOD, the largest and most influential food show in the region with visitor participation expected to be in excess of 55,000 people! Looking ahead, INC will also once again host the INC Pavilleon at SIAL in Paris later this year. I am pleased to say this venue is already sold out, with 16 member companies taking booths and exhibition space! We thank you for your ongoing support of our efforts to increase INC branding possibilities.

2013 was a landmark year for our industry, with many well publicized studies focused on the health benefits of consuming a Mediterranean diet, including nuts and dried fruit. Two of these studies, including Predimed and the Harvard Mortality Study, received global media attention from some of the world’s biggest information outlets, a trend that continues. The Predimed study was rated as the second most read academic paper in 2013! And the Harvard study ranked among the top 10 most read studies.

Just last week, your Chairman had the pleasure of giving a short interview on the ‘You & Yours’ BBC Radio 4 Program, broadcast in the prime time midday slot. Yes, indeed, the global media is fascinated by the nut and dried fruit story, which greatly benefits our industry’s ability to continue to drive global demand.

Following this great achievement, I am pleased to report that yet again we have received a very high calibre of applications to The World Forum’s call for expression of interest in funds for new studies about the nutritional benefits of nut and dried fruit consumption. We look forward to awarding the grant during our annual congress in Melbourne.

On this note, I am very pleased to report that we are ready to welcome as many of you as possible to the Melbourne congress in May. Current registrations are rolling in quickly which indicates to us that this will be yet another sell out congress. So if you haven’t yet registered, please do not waste any time in doing so. Please recall that in Barcelona, we were forced to close registrations several weeks ahead of the event. You will find further details of how to register in this edition of THE CRACKER. On behalf of our board and staff, we look very much forward to welcoming you all in Melbourne, Australia.

Yours Sincerely,

Giles Hacking INC Chairman

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The Cracker | March 2014

N CO EX NG T IN RE C SS

We look forward to seeing you in

20-22 May 2014

More information at www.nutfruit.org

world nut & Dried fruit news Keep up with current events from the international nut & Dried fruit industry Pro-nutrition info tops 2014 trends Consumers are demanding more nutritional information than ever, and yet obesity rates continue to climb, with some dietitians worrying that Americans are becoming complacent in their unhealthy weights. Kale, chia and wheat-free will stay hot in 2014, while low-fat diets will fall out of favor.

An annual survey of more than 500 registered dietitians conducted by Today’s Dietitian and Pollock Communications pinpointed 14 trends to watch that explore such topics as which fad diets will be hot (and not), which foods top the trendy list and what will influence purchasing decisions in 2014.

lifestyle, mommy and credentialed dietitian bloggers alike. Dietitians reported that the topic of nutrition and health continues to boom on blogs and websites.

The (mis)information age: According to the survey, 67% of nutrition information is based on personal beliefs and halftruths rather than published peerreviewed research. Moreover, 75% of dietitians surveyed say that there will be a preponderance of misinformation to digest in 2014.

Anti-wheat sentiment: Consumers will continue to lean on reduced-wheat diet plans like the Paleo diet, gluten- free or "wheat belly" in 2014, with just over half of the survey respondents saying these three diet fads would top the list in 2014.

Ancient grains are new again. Despite the popularity of some low-grain diets, 32% of dietitians forecast continued fondness for ancient grains in 2014. The percentage of new product launches featuring ancient grains or seeds has almost tripled since 2008, according to Datamonitor.

Add kale, coconut or chia seeds: Nearly a third (27%) of dietitians surveyed say that kale will remain a hot ingredient in 2014. Moreover, 37% dietitians report that coconut oil is all the rage, followed by omega-3- and ALA- rich chia seeds (32%).

‘Low fat’ falls flat: Dietitians predict that the low-fat diet will be the least talked about plan for 2014, as consumers seek out more positive nutritional messaging. Promoting Seventy-five percent of dietitians say they turn to MyPlate to help their clients eat right, and that they plan to continue relying on the nutritional tool in the coming year.

‘Health’ important in the supermarket: When it comes to shopping for food, 95% of dietitians say that "health" is important to shoppers.

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The Cracker | March 2014

More eco-conscious eats: Consumers are looking for more eco-friendly labels in 2014, with 38% of dietitians This is no secret among supermarkets, as "supermarket dietitian" is the fastest-growing job classification in grocery stores nationwide.

Doctors in the limelight: Whether it’s coming from Dr. Oz or weight loss guru Jillian Michaels, dietitians agree that consumers are exposed to more health information on TV than ever before. Sixty-six percent of dietitians predict that television doctors will up the diet discussions in 2014, along with more views about food from celebrity trainers and chefs.

'I'm as healthy as my friends:' Regarding weight and health, consumers are comparing themselves to recommendations from TV personalities and health-focused shows, according to 34% of dietitians. But they also gauge their health and weight by looking to their friends and family.

Bloggers on nutrition and health: Consumers are looking to blogs for diet advice, relying on

saying that "local" is where it's at, and 31% saying their clients say they look for sustainable food choices when shopping.

Americans become a little too comfortable: Dietitians worry that Americans may be becoming complacent about their unhealthy weight, with the national averages remaining stagnant. Forty-four percent feel that as we move into 2014, more consumers are becoming OK with maintaining an unhealthy weight.

Fruits and veggies: the biggest bang for the buck. Dietitians say that the most important first step to improve overall health is to eat more servings of fruits and vegetables.

Consumers’ insatiable appetite for nutrition and diet information: According to 66% of survey respondents, consumers' interest in nutrition and weight loss will only grow in 2014.

World nut & dried fruit news

Will food-makers feel the loss of trans fats?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released proposed new rules that would essentially ban trans fats from processed foods sold in the U.S., but the reality is that most food companies have been working on cutting partially hydrogenated oils from their products for several years. Trans fats, aka partially hydrogenated oils, are liquid fats that are turned into solids and used to influence mouthfeel and extend shelf life in baked goods, frozen desserts and other foods. The American Heart Association and other experts say the substances are dangerous because they raise the level of LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

The FDA announced it had made a preliminary determination that the substances are no longer recognized as generally safe. The public has until March 8 to comment on the proposal and, if that determination is finalized, companies would not be able to use trans fats in their products anymore without FDA permission. Shelf life of both the new ingredients and the finished product are a key concern during the testing phase. Foodmakers perform blind comparison tests with either trained palates or regular consumers, which is typically a pricier option, to make sure the new product is just as tasty and crunchy as the original.

When companies first began trading out trans fats, the results were often dryer and more brittle than the original, but the companies that make the oils have been retooling along with the food-makers and have since come up with options that work better in the recipes. In addition to re-engineering the products, food companies also have to reconfigure the packaging by using the existing inventory and then create new labels for the new regulations.

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March 2014 | The Cracker

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World nut & dried fruit news

feature story feature story

Study Reveals Trends of Wellness ‘Superusers’

The CIA’s of Flavor International Conference & The Worlds CIA’s Worlds of Flavor International Conference & Lettuce-Wrapped Spicy Spicy Lettuce-Wrapped Festival® is in itsis 14th the U.S. (www.worldsofflavor.

Festival® in itsyear 14thin year in the U.S. (www.worldsofflavor.

AlmondAlmond Chicken, Chicken, com) and is widely as America’s most influential com) and is acknowledged widely acknowledged as America’s most influentialPhoto Credit: CIA CIA Photo Credit: professional forum on world food cultures and flavor professional forum on cuisines, world cuisines, food cultures and flavor Just 26% of the population accounts for more than 61% of spending on health and wellness products, trends.

Each year this conference includesincludes more than chefs, trends.

Each year this conference more70 than 70 chefs, according to a study by AlixPartners.

Such “superusers” spend four times per month more than the culinaryculinary experts,experts, and other from allfrom overall theover world andpresenters other presenters theand world and average consumer on health and wellness products but can be challenging to target as their willingness to welcomes more than attendees including chefs, journalists welcomes more700 than 700 attendees including chefs, journalists andpay food critics, restaurant and foodservice management more product attributes tends to management vary widely and they often shop in unexpected channels. and foodfor critics, restaurant and foodservice executives, corporate menu decision-makers and a wide executives, corporate menu decision-makers and arange wide range of suppliers, from in agriculture and more manufacturing suppliers, from leaders in agriculture andthan manufacturing to Theofstudy foundleaders that superusers allocate four totimes as Supermarkets are capturing no less than 43% of superusers’ health government and tophealth consumer brands.brands. expenditures on government agencies and top consumer much of agencies their monthly and wellness-related and wellness spending, the study added, noting that was a higher fruits and vegetables ($81.93 vs. $19.12), more than three-andpercentage than mass retailers (17%), club stores (12%) and large Thefresh CIA’s Worlds of Flavor ASIA® International The CIA’s Worlds of Flavor ASIA® International a-half times much onwill fresh meat anddedicated seafood $15.58) health-food stores like Whole Foods (16%). In dollar terms, that equates Conference & asFestival bewill dedicated to the($56.01 Conference & Festival be tocuisines, the vs.cuisines, andflavors morefood than five much ontheir dairy products ($31.15 vs.inspire $5.65). to superuser spending on health and wellness products of $101.94 per flavors and ofasAsia to inspire andcultures foodtimes cultures ofand Asia andpotential their potential to month at traditional grocers, $39.37 at mass retailers, $38.51 at large chefs and consumers around the world.

The program is being chefs and consumers around the world.

The program is being However, it also finds that superusers on average spend almost seven health food stores and $29.04 at club stores.However, supermarket designed to be the premier all-Asia professional culinary designed to be the premier all-Asia professional culinary times as much on prepackaged foods ($18.70 vs. just $2.70); over five channel health and wellness shoppers tend to skew older, with shoppers conference.

Initial attendance is expected to be 800 to 1,000 conference.

Initial attendance is expected to be 800 to 1,000 times as much on frozen foods ($16.34 vs. $2.90); almost five times as 48 to 66 years old spending 47% of their health and wellness budget in culinary and hospitality professionals drawn from all over Asia culinary and hospitality professionals drawn from all over Asia much on non-alcoholic beverages ($12.99 vs. $2.75); almost five times andas themuch Pacific—including China, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast that channel. By comparison, shoppers aged 18-24 purchase only 31% and theonPacific—including China, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast prepared/ready-to-eat foods ($10.50 vs. $2.11) and over Asia,fiveand Australia—with a significant outreach to the United of their health and wellness products from traditional grocers.

Asia, and Australia—with a significant outreach to the United times as much on snack foods ($8.50 vs. $1.61). The study found States, Europe and Latin America as well.asThis program is slatedis slated States, Europe and Latin America well.

This program that superusers were willing to pay more for products with certain These trends point to continued pressure on traditional grocers and to kick to offkick in early 2014. off in early 2014.For example, just 2% said they would pay characteristics than others. highlight the channel diversification of health and wellness spending.

Worlds of than Healthy Flavors and Worlds of Flavor, along with Worlds of10% Healthy Flavors and Worlds of 15% Flavor, along greater more for gluten-free items, vs. who said with they At the same time, large health food stores are attracting more than additional CIA10% leadership are aproducts. part the strategic additional CIA are of a part of the strategic would pay moreleadership forinitiatives, locally initiatives, sourced their overall market share of superusers as well as Millennials. initiatives & industry leadership divisiondivision of the college headed headed initiatives & industry leadership of the college up by Greg vice president of the division.

Mr. Drescher up byDrescher, Greg Drescher, vice president of the division.

Mr. Drescher is responsible for theforcollege's thoughtthought leadership, strategicstrategic is responsible the college's leadership, partnerships and initiatives, industryindustry conferences, and newand media partnerships and initiatives, conferences, new media and is the of theseofprograms and other "think andcreator is the creator these programs andCIA other CIA tank" "think tank" initiatives.

He assumed his current title in title 2011inafter as initiatives.

He assumed his current 2011serving after serving as executive directordirector of strategic initiatives for the CIA. Mr.CIA. Drescher executive of strategic initiatives for the Mr. Drescher joined the CIAthe in CIA 1995,in and served nearly 10 years10asyears the first joined 1995, and served nearly as the first directordirector of education for the for college's campuscampus in St. Helena, of education the college's in St. Helena, CA, Sensor-based where oversaw the development of the CIA at Greystone’s sorting systems CA, he where he oversaw the development ofpioneer the CIA at TOMRA Greystone’s Sorting Solutions has made its latest technological program of continuing education and advanced studies. program of continuing education and advanced studies. available in its Nimbus free-fall machine. breakthrough for nut and raisin processors All leadership initiatives led by its the CIA, not-for-profit college, are supported by partnerships and in-house sponsorships.

Program sponsors have leadership initiatives ledunique by theabiometric CIA, a not-for-profit college, are supported by partnerships and sponsorships.

Program sponsors TheAll company has introduced signature identification (BSI) technology, developed by its own experts, into the Nimbushave opportunities help to make anmake impact on thethefuture ourcharacteristics industry andofreceive invaluable exposure ofand their and to brands to industry opportunities help an impact onbiometric the of future of our industry andnuts receive invaluable exposure ofproducts their products and brands industry sorter.

The to technology works by detecting the and raisins it scans comparing them features in itstostored decision makers and opinion leaders.

Parties interested inorbecoming program sponsors may contact Cathy Jörin, of Special ProjectsProjects decision makers and opinion leaders. interested in becoming program sponsors may contact CathyDirector Jörin, Director of Special database, to determine whether they shouldParties be accepted rejected. and Planning, Strategic Initiatives, CIA, at CIA, cathyjorin1@aol.com or 707.537.7742. and Planning, Strategic Initiatives, at cathyjorin1@aol.com or 707.537.7742.

TOMRA’s Bjorn Thumas said: “Benefits of the BSI technology include that it makes the Nimbus an ideal pre-sorting machine.”

For more information about the CIA and our new Singapore campus, please please visit these www.ciachef.edu, www.ciachef.edu/ For more information about the CIA and our new Singapore campus, visitwebsites: these websites: www.ciachef.edu, www.ciachef.edu/ singapore/index.html/ and www.ciaprochef.com. singapore/index.html/ and www.ciaprochef.com.

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The Cracker | March 2014

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MarchMarch 2012 |2012 The Cracker 21 | The Cracker

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World nut & dried fruit news

Hershey rolls out Nutella competitor as Americans spread more chocolate Nutella chocolate spread, a rare find on U.S. store shelves just a few years ago, has become so mainstream that Hershey's Corp., one of the top American chocolate makers, has decided to make its own chocolate spread.

The Hershey Co. is introducing a line of chocolate spreads, including a hazelnut variety reminiscent of Nutella, a spread made by the Italian company Ferrero. The move points to the strong growth in the category; over the past five years, sales of Nutella in the U.S. have more than tripled to $240.4 million, according to market researcher Euromonitor International. In 2012, J.M. Smucker Co. also got into the game with its Jif hazelnut spreads.

Hershey wants people to try putting the chocolate spread on a variety of foods, saying in a statement that it's a "snack enhancer" for items such as graham crackers, strawberries, pineapples and even pickles. Hershey's site features a jar of its spread amid apples, strawberries, pretzels and celery.

Hershey's spreads have been available since early December, although national marketing is just now starting. The spreads have chocolate flavor, but aren't primarily chocolate. Adding chocolate spreads clearly make fruits and vegetables more indulgent snacks, with two tablespoons containing about 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and 20 grams of sugar for both the Nutella and Hershey varieties.

Meanwhile, Hershey recently touted its efforts to reduce the calories in its products. The Hershey, Pa.-based company is part of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a collation of 16 major food makers that has said it will work to reduce obesity. For its part, Hershey says it has reduced the calories in its products by offering portion-controlled packaging, changing recipes and developing new products, such as offerings with reduced sugar and fat.

Sour flavors and sweet & spicy mixes ‘the vogue’ for candy In a Confectionery Industry Update, the research organization Leatherhead analyzed the top flavors in newly launched global sugar and gum confectionery in 2012 based on data from Mintel.

Strawberry proved the most popular, accounting for 8% of global launches, but a Leatherhead analyst noted a trend for more experimental flavours including flavor combinations such as orange and chili, cinnamon and orange, salted caramel and chocolate chili flavors.

Sour flavors are also in vogue in many parts of the world. In the UK, for instance, sales of sour-flavored sweets are rising by 44% per year, whereas Sour Chews (in flavors such as Grape, Apple and Lemon and Lime) were added to The Natural Confectionery Company’s range in Australia during 2013. Leatherhead said it was impossible to quantify growth in natural food flavorings due to a lack of global consensus on what makes a flavor natural. Mintel data from 2012 that showed 45% of US consumers rated ‘all-natural’ as very or somewhat important when purchasing non-chocolate candy.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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World nut & dried fruit news

FARE Researcher Receives NIH Grant FARE-funded researcher, Dr. Cathryn Nagler of the University of Chicago, has received a multi-year, $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over several years, FARE has provided more than $1.5 million to Dr. Nagler and her team.

FARE’s support has enabled Dr. Nagler to identify a new strain of “good” intestinal bacteria that may protect the body against allergic sensitization to food. In September 2013, FARE awarded a bridge grant to Dr. Nagler, which allowed her to pursue her studies while awaiting the NIH’s response to her application for a more extensive grant that continues to explore the therapeutic potential of these bacteria.

more susceptible to food allergies. Data from previous studies support their theory. Antibiotic use in infancy, in particular, has been linked to the rising incidence of allergic disease. Dr. Nagler has shown that administering oral antibiotics to mice before they are weaned depletes populations of good bacteria from the intestines. As a result, these mice are predisposed to allergic responses to food.

Dr. Nagler and other experts believe that genetics alone cannot account for the dramatic increase in food allergies. They are exploring the theory that environmental stimuli interact with the immune system to promote allergic disease. To this end, researchers are studying how the microbiome – the vast collection of microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, that inhabit our bodies – influences our health. While some of these microbes cause disease, others keep us healthy. For example, some probiotics (that is, “good” bacteria) help us digest our food, while others regulate the immune system and protect us against “bad” bacteria.

If successful, this mouse model ultimately may enable scientists to develop and test new probiotic formulations, which would be used to prevent food allergy in infants or to enhance the protection that existing treatments, such as oral immunotherapy, might provide. It is important to keep in mind that, while promising, this potential therapy has not yet been studied in humans.

Dr. Nagler and her team have been studying mice to learn how specific environmental factors – such as diet, antibiotics, intestinal worms, and “bad” bacteria – alter the environment of the gut, making the rodents

This innovative research exemplifies a crucial goal of FARE’s strategic plan for food allergy research: attracting gifted investigators to the field of food allergy by providing long-term support that allows them to advance their work and generate enough data to merit larger grants from the NIH and other federal agencies.

To learn more about current FARE studies and our research vision, please visit www.foodallergy.org/research.

Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Allergies in Schools The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published “Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs” – the first comprehensive national guidelines for school food allergy management. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) collaborated with the CDC along with other groups on the development of these guidelines.

The CDC guidelines seek to protect the physical and emotional health of students with food allergies by providing practical information and strategies for schools to use while reinforcing federal laws and regulations. These guidelines can help schools and early childhood programs improve existing practices and implement policies that may help reduce allergic reactions, improve response to life-threatening reactions and ensure current policies are in line with laws that protect children with serious health issues

Here are guidelines being given to schools: Know the Facts: More than 15 percent of children with food allergies have had a reaction at school, and approximately 25 percent of epinephrine administrations in the school setting involved an individual whose allergy was previously undiagnosed.

Contact District and School Leaders: Reach out to school board, superintendent, principal, and/or school health office to let them know that the guidelines are available on our website. If the school district already

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has school food allergy management guidelines in place, ask the school officials to consider the CDC guidelines the next time changes are proposed.

Tell Friends: Let other families know that they can help increase awareness of the new CDC guidelines by notifying their district or school leaders.

For more information, visit the CDC website.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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World nut & dried fruit news

Food Industry Cuts Calories Four-Fold Over Pledge Some of America’s largest food companies have cut daily calorie counts by an average of 78 per person, a new study says, more than four times the amount the industry pledged to slash by next year. The study sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that between 2007 and 2012, the estimated total cut in food product calories from a group of 16 major food companies was in the range of 6.4 trillion.

Seventy-eight calories would be about the same as an average cookie or a medium apple, and the federal government estimates an average daily diet at around 2,000 calories. The study said the calories cut averaged out to 78 calories per day for the entire U.S. population.

The 2010 pledge taken by the companies — including General Mills Inc., Campbell Soup Co., ConAgra Foods Inc., Kraft Foods Inc., Kellogg Co., Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc. and Hershey Co. — was to cut 1 trillion calories by 2012 and 1.5 trillion calories by 2015. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation signed on to hold the companies accountable, and that group hired researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to painstakingly count the calories in almost every single packaged item in the grocery store. To do that, the UNC researchers used the store-based scanner data of hundreds of thousands of foods, commercial databases and nutrition facts panels to calculate exactly how many calories the companies were selling.

The researchers aren't yet releasing the entire study, but they said Thursday that the companies have exceeded their own goals by a wide margin. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a nonpartisan philanthropic and research organization that works to improve the nation's health. Even though the companies that made the commitment represent most of the nation's most well-known food companies, they sold only a little more than a third of all packaged foods and beverages at the beginning of the study. Missing are many off-label brands sold under the names of retailers, and it's unknown whether those products have changed.

It is also unclear how the reduction in calories translates into consumers' diets. When the companies made the pledge in 2010, they said one way they would try and reduce calories would be to change portion sizes in an attempt to persuade consumers to eat less. The companies also said that they would develop new lower-calorie options and change existing products so they have fewer calories.

Evidence of those efforts are visible on any grocery store shelf. Many products now come in lower calorie versions, are baked instead of fried, or sold in miniature as well as larger versions. Company efforts to package smaller servings — 100 calorie packs of popular snacks, for example — and smaller cans of sugary drinks may have contributed to the reduction in calories. The main contributors most likely were the public's increasing willingness to buy healthier foods and companies responding to those consumers.

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Retail/mobile technology changing food business The dramatic shifts taking place in retail and consumer technology will have a dramatic effect on the food and beverage industry, according to statements recently made by Phil Lempert, the chief executive officer of Supermarketguru.com and The Lempert Report. “(Retail) stores are becoming smaller and more personal,” he said. “Supermarkets are struggling right now. They have lost market share during the past 15 years, but people are not buying less food. They are buying it elsewhere.”

He advised industry executives to consider the role their companies may play in helping retailers engage with consumers in new ways.

For example, he said some supermarkets are experimenting with instore culinary centers that allow consumers to buy the ingredients for a meal, cook it and consume it in the store. People are increasingly dining in supermarkets in the U.S. and some are so popular that reservations are required!

Mr. Lempert also weighed in on the issue of labeling products made with bioengineered ingredients. To label or not to label G.M.O.s is creeping up,” he said. “We work with the Retail Dieticians Business Alliance and the No. 1 question they are asked about is G.M.O.s. These registered dietitians have a real dilemma. They know the science and have to communicate it to consumers who are passionate. We’ve got science and emotion and they are fighting each other.”

The rising prevalence of men as the primary shoppers for families is also a trend where food and beverage companies may be able to help retailers connect with consumers. Technology is changing the way people are buying, shopping and even storing food, while rapid adoption of smartphone technologies as a key driver of the trend.

“Food has become a universal language on the Internet with the use of food photos and recipe searches in the top tier of searches. One U.S. company introduced a device that uses a laser that may be pointed at a food and it can tell you all of the ingredients.

He added that most consumers do not understand how new the discipline of nutrition science works. “We have not done a good job communicating to consumers that as we learn more about nutrition science things might change. Consumers want to know why this product we said was bad is now good. We have not communicated that nutrition is an evolving science.”

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World nut & dried fruit news

Governor Brown Declares California Drought Emergency

Packaging Important to Picking Snacks

With California facing water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proclaimed a State of Emergency and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for these drought conditions.

The current study, which is published in the journal Proceedings for the National Academy of Sciences, sought to investigate how consumers actually interact with this onslaught of visual information.

In the State of Emergency declaration, Governor Brown directed state officials to assist farmers and communities that are economically impacted by dry conditions and to ensure the state can respond if Californians face drinking water shortages. The Governor also directed state agencies to use less water and hire more firefighters and initiated a greatly expanded water conservation public awareness campaign In addition, the proclamation gives state water officials more flexibility to manage supply throughout California under drought conditions. State water officials say that California’s river and reservoirs are below their record lows. Manual and electronic readings record the snowpack’s statewide water content at about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year.

The Governor’s drought State of Emergency follows a series of actions the administration has taken to ensure that California is prepared for record dry conditions. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights. In December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations, California’s preparedness for water scarcity and whether conditions merit a drought declaration. Earlier this week, the Governor toured the Central Valley and spoke with growers and others impacted by California’s record dry conditions.

Decisions are often made on the basis of appearance alone according to a new study from the University of Miami School of Law, where researchers have determined that packaging and other visual cues can have a tremendous impact on consumer choices.

For the study, the authors enrolled a number of people participants in an experiment with a simulated choice environment. Subjects were presented with four snack options and asked to choose one of them. While they decided, the team used eye-tracking technology to monitor their visual interaction with each product.

Using the eye-movement pattern of each subject, researchers were able to run so-called neuro computational simulations and determine the relative visual attractiveness (“saliency�) of each product. They found that, when it came to choosing what snack to eat, the saliency of each product influenced the subject’s decision almost as much as their initial preference. In other words, each decision was part preference, part visual attraction.

The interesting part, however, is that the data helped the researchers predict what snack the subjects would pick. It turned out that a decision making model based on asaliency-to-preference ratio of about 1:3 to 2:3 was far more successful than a model based on either quality alone. These findings can be applied to guide the design of choice environments, to 'nudge' people toward making optimal choices regardless of the subject.

The current study is the latest in a growing series of inquiries into the psychology of shopping. Numerous reports and articles point to the precise and often unsettling schemes employed by advertisers and store managers to drive sales. It would appear that, in 2010s supermarkets, every feature is designed to make even the thriftiest consumer splurge on unneeded purchases.

According to experts, several psychological mechanisms may account for the strange malleability our mind assumes in these environments. One theory suggests that a rational eye simply snaps shut after about half an hour of high-octane brand and advertising exposure. That said, it is not yet clear whether these research efforts will help consumers avoid mind tricks or allow retailers to devise new ones!

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Chocolate Outlook for 2014 Retail prices for chocolate are expected to rise in the face of cocoa price hikes, which could see the taste, shape and size of chocolate change significantly in the year ahead. Rabobank predicts a third consecutive cocoa deficit for the 2014/15 crop year that will see prices soar 23% from Q3 2013 levels to $3,000 per (MT) by Q3 2014.

Large manufacturers are expected to tweak formulations to mitigate the cost. Simply bulking out bars with more sugar is an option, but Rabobank predicts that sugar prices will also edge upwards of 8% in 2014. Sugar alternatives such as steviol glycosides are options, but are rife with limitations including added cost and negative taste affects, so it isn’t anticipated that manufacturers will turn to healthier sweeteners in 2014.

A smaller bar with the same retail price is a strategy Mars-UK has already employed for its Mars and Snickers bars which Mars says goes as far as it could to reduce calories for now. Manufacturers may also rethink the shape of well-known brands to disguise downsizing.

The negative cocoa outlook has already caused cocoa butter prices, which account for a quarter of the ingredients cost of chocolate, to rise 80%, meaning UK chocolate producers who were once paying $0.26 for cocoa butter to produce a 100g milk chocolate bar in January 2012, were paying $0.35 in July 2013 – a 31% hike.

Industry experts widely expect chocolate to develop into a two-tier market.

Brands will position themselves as either premium or affordable. Does this mean that premium chocolate will develop like the wine sector with cocoa origin blends tailored to meet aromatic profiles?

Meanwhile, economical chocolate could explore more cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) and alternatives to allay the rising cost of cocoa butter. Global chocolate sales grew at about 3-4% per year while annual growth in demand for CBEs was about 10%.

The $12bn Chinese chocolate market will be where the race for global supremacy is won and lost. Hershey has made a late shopping-spree to shorten its odds when it acquired the Shanghai Golden Monkey Food Company last month for $584m. But the Chinese chocolate sector is already highly consolidated with the top 3 players Mars, Nestlé and Ferrero, commanding almost 70% of the market.

Local Asia player Lotte, has earmarked China as its international growth priority as it grows sales outside the Korean market over 40% by 2018 to $3.5bn. However, the company’s chocolate category only

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accounts for 5% of sales with its China sales coming mainly from gum and chocolate pie.

Premium products developed to Chinese tastes could be the key to increasing China’s low (1.2 kg per capita) chocolate consumption among the country’s increasingly affluent population, according to market analysts.

In September last year, Barry Callebaut’s cocoa flavanol heart health claim was finally approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The first chocolate made by Callebaut’s flavanol-preserving Acticoa method is likely to hit the EU market this year and will test how far the health claim can be taken. The origin of the cocoa affects the percentage of cocoa flavanols in the final product, with Central and South America origins containing more flavanols than cocoa from the big producing nations in West Africa.

Some suggest that a likely R&D priority for manufacturers will be to observe how cocoa flavanols and added functional ingredients in chocolate such as phytosterols are impacted by manufacturing processes, particularly those using heat. R&D departments at cocoa processing firms will also make the most of what little cocoa they have to exploit the potential of cocoa waste as an ingredient in foods, stationery and food packaging.

World nut & dried fruit news

U.S. Consumers begin 2014 with conservative outlook After a year of sluggish economic growth in 2013, U.S. consumers are beginning the new year with a conservative outlook. An IRI MarketPulse survey released in January found that shopper sentiment dropped in fourth quarter 2013, and this gloomy attitude is spilling over into 2014 across all age groups. It is particularly evident among millennials, who reported a 10-point decline since third quarter 2013 and have consistently struggled since the economic downturn began.

IRI’s Shopper Sentiment Index provides perspective in terms of price sensitivity, brand loyalty and changes in spending required to maintain desired lifestyles. With a benchmark score of 100 based on first quarter 2011 information, a Shopper Sentiment Index score of more than 100 reflects consumers who are less price driven, more loyal to favorite brands and better equipped to maintain their desired lifestyle without changes.

The latest index for fourth quarter 2013 is 102, which dropped after hitting a two-year high of 109 in third quarter 2013. The fourth quarter also marked the first negative quarter of 2013. A number of factors likely contributed to shopper confidence being shaken, such as the debt ceiling crisis (73% awareness), the rollout of Obamacare (75% awareness), and the conflict in Syria (90% awareness). In addition, the reduction of food stamp benefits, otherwise known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will increase financial pressure for 48 million Americans.

Going into the fourth year post-recession, consumers are still finding it difficult to maintain their desired lifestyles and are struggling to make ends meet. The fourth quarter 2013 MarketPulse survey results point to why many consumers continue to face tough times: • 83% of consumers are having difficulty affording their regular groceries; • 39% feel their financial situation is worse today than one year ago; and • 43% say their financial position is unchanged versus one year ago.

As a result of these ongoing difficulties, consumers will continue to trim expenses by following conservative usage patterns throughout 2014: • 53% are working to make personal care products last longer; • 51% are finding ways to make cleaning products last longer; • 49% are cooking from scratch more/using fewer convenience items to save money; • 40% are making beauty care products last longer by using fewer, using less frequently, etc.; and • 29% are sharing more products.

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Malaysian:

The next big flavor trend?

US Consumers are not well-versed in many of the ingredient and flavor combinations of Southeast Asia and India, though Malaysian cuisine is still largely untapped. But a recent survey of 1200 chefs by the National Resultant Association listed Malaysian cuisine as the number three top trending flavors for 2014 on the heels of strong sales growth for the Asian grocery category (10.2% dollar sales increased from 2010-2012, according to Mintel).

As consumers develop more awareness of foods from difference cultures, emphasis on regions tends to overtake the boarder concept of “ethnic” cuisine as Euromonitor US analyst recently pointed out. (This appears to be further evidenced by two other NRA top trending flavor picks: Korean and Peruvian cuisine.)

Spices such as turmeric, chilies, cumin coriander and cardamom are commonly used across many Southeast Asian dishes, but Malaysian cuisine combines these spices with aromatics such as galangal, lemongrass, ginger, tamarind and curry leaves to create a deeplylayered, complex flavor without spicy heat or other Southeast Asian cuisines. As the center of the world’s spice trade during the 15th century, Malaysia’s own cooking style has been infused with Chinese, Indian and Nonya (mixed Southeast Asian decent) flavors over the centuries.

Many of the common aromatics that link Malaysian Dishes exhibit very familiar flavors to consumers (citrus, warm spice, etc) , which can help bridge the gap between familiar and the unknown. Kaffir lime has lime, orange, lemon rind flavors, and lemongrass has a concentrated citrus aroma. People are very familiar with these flavors and they can be combined with better known ingredients like ginger, garlic and coconut for an interesting yet familiar beautiful flavor.

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Some of the staple sauces and spice blends—with an emphasis on spicy, citrusy, sweet and hot flavors, include: redang, a blend of ginger, garlic, shallot and galangal that is typically ground into paste and then incorporated into sauces or rubbed on meat and vegetables; masak merah, a Southeast Asian take on tomato sauce, which combines concentrated tomatoes with heady aromatics like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and star anise almond with turmeric, garlic and ginger, salty- sweet peanut sauce, with roasted peanuts, tamarind pulp, soy sauce and palm sugar, and a veritable rainbow of coconut curries, which range in heat levels and spice.

The primary deterrent for many consumers when it comes to cooking any Southeast Asian Dish at home is the long ingredient lists (with some unfamiliarly names) and time-consuming preparation— peeling, chopping and blending various roots, herbs and other aromatics. Thus, manufactures have an opportunity to capitalize on offering time saving through products that highlight the flavors of an untapped corner of this popular region.

World nut & dried fruit news

FDA remaking nutrition facts panel on food packages After 20 years, the nutrition facts label on the back of food packages is getting a makeover. Knowledge about nutrition has evolved since the early 1990s, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the labels need to reflect that. Nutritionists and other health experts have their own wish list for label changes. The number of calories should be more prominent, they say, and the amount of added sugar and percentage of whole wheat in the food should be included. They also want more clarity on serving sizes.

Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, says 20 years ago "there was a big focus on fat, and fat undifferentiated." Since then, health providers have focused more on calories and warned people away from saturated and trans fats rather than all fats. Trans fats were separated out on the label in 2006. "The food environment has changed and our dietary guidance has changed," says Taylor, who was at the agency in the early 1990s when the FDA first introduced the label at the behest of Congress. "It's important to keep this updated so what is iconic doesn't become a relic."

The FDA has been working on the issue for a decade. There's evidence that more people are reading the labels in recent years. An Agriculture Department study said 42 percent of working adults used the panel always or most of the time in 2009 and 2010, up from 34 percent two years earlier. Older adults were more likely to use it.

It's not yet clear what other changes the FDA could decide on. Nutrition advocates are hoping the agency adds a line for sugars and syrups that are not naturally occurring in foods and drinks and are added when they are processed or prepared. Now, some sugars are listed separately among the ingredients and some are not. It may be difficult for the FDA to figure out how to calculate added sugars, however. Food manufacturers are adding naturally occurring sugars to their products so they can label them as natural — but the nutrition content is no different.

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World nut & dried fruit news

Snacking Your Way to Better Health

By Jane E. Brody

Jane Brody on health and aging.

Nuts to you! No, that’s not an insult. It’s a recommendation to add nuts to your diet for the sake of your health and longevity.

Consistent evidence for the health benefits of nuts has been accumulating since the early 1990s. Frequent nut consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of major chronic diseases, including heart and blood vessel disorders and Type 2 diabetes.

The newest and most convincing findings, reported last month in The New England Journal of Medicine, come from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which together have followed nearly 119,000 women and men for decades. Both studies repeatedly recorded what the participants ate (among many other characteristics) and analyzed their diets in relation to the causes of death among the 27,429 people who died since the studies began.

The more often nuts were consumed, the less likely participants were to die of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease, and not because nut eaters succumbed to other diseases. Their death rate from any cause was lower during the years they were followed. (The nuts in question were pistachios, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, peanuts and walnuts.)

Those who ate nuts seven or more times a week were 20 percent less likely to die from 1980 to 2010; even among those who consumed nuts less often than once a week, the death rate was 11 percent lower than for those who did not eat them.

I know what you’re thinking: Aren’t nuts fattening? Yes, an ounce of nuts has 160 to 200 calories, nearly 80 percent from fat. But in study after study, the more often people ate nuts, the leaner they tended to be.

For example, in a Mediterranean study that tracked the effect of nut consumption on weight gain over the course of 28 months, frequent nut consumers gained less weight than those who never ate nuts, and were 43 percent less likely to become overweight or obese.

How is that possible? First, nuts may be taking the place of other highcalorie snacks, like chips, cookies and candy. And nut eaters may be less likely to snack, period; the fat, fiber and protein in nuts suppresses hunger between meals.

Second, the body may treat calories from nuts differently from those in other high-carbohydrate foods. Third, nut eaters may pursue a healthier lifestyle and burn more calories through exercise.

Whatever the reasons, every study has indicated that nuts make an independent contribution to health and longevity, even after taking other factors into account.

Thus, all nuts are powerhouses of biologically active substances, most of which are known to protect and promote health. Penny M. KrisEtherton, a professor of nutrition at Penn State who has studied the effects of nuts on heart disease, describes them as “complex plant foods that are not only rich sources of unsaturated fat but also contain several nonfat constituents,” including protein, fiber, plant sterols that can lower cholesterol, and micronutrients like copper and magnesium.

Every one of these substances has been shown to ward off one disease or another. The fat content of nuts alone could account for their ability to support heart health. Nuts have less cholesterol-raising saturated fat than olive oil. On average, 62 percent of the fat in nuts is monounsaturated, the kind that supports healthy levels of protective HDL cholesterol and does not raise blood levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.

Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids that can lower triglycerides and blood pressure, slow the buildup of arterial plaque and prevent abnormal heart rhythms. Walnuts are especially rich sources of alpha-linolenic acid, some of which is converted to heart-protective omega-3 fatty acids.

Most nuts, and especially almonds, are good sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant. Joan Sabaté, a nutritionist at Loma Linda University who has studied the health effects of nuts among Seventh-day Adventists, lists folic acid, selenium, magnesium and several phytochemicals among the compounds in nuts that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or anticancer properties.

The nurses’ study has linked tree nuts to a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. A Taiwanese study of about 24,000 people found a 58 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer among women who ate peanuts, although a similar effect was not found among men.

In both the nurses’ and health professionals’ studies, eating nuts more than five times a week was associated with a 25 percent to 30 percent lower risk of needing gallbladder surgery.

Nuts also contain dietary fiber, about a quarter of which is the type that reduces cholesterol and improves blood sugar and weight control. The nurses’ study and a study of about 64,000 women in Shanghai found strong evidence that frequent consumption of tree nuts, peanuts and peanut butter reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Peanuts and especially pistachios are rich in resveratrol, which is being investigated for possible anti-aging effects. Pistachios are also rich in arginine, which gives rise to nitric oxide, a substance that improves blood flow and can help counter erectile dysfunction.

And not just tree nuts. The new study found that peanuts were also linked to a reduced death rate and lower risk of chronic disease. Peanuts are legumes that grow underground, but they share constituents with tree nuts that are believed to protect against a wide range of diseases.

Including a serving or two of nuts in your daily diet is not challenging.

Dr. Kris-Etherton suggests using peanut butter as the protein source in a sandwich, and replacing a cookie snack with a one-ounce serving of mixed nuts. Nuts can also be added to hot or cold cereals, salads, stir fries and desserts.

Botanically speaking, nuts are fruits, but most of the nuts we consume are the fruits’ seeds — able to produce a new plant when raw. Like the yolk of an egg, seeds must contain nutrients that support healthy tissues.

A version of this article appears in print on 12/10/2013, on page D7 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Snacking Your Way to Better Health.

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Queen’s University publishes review of UK food supply The UK Government and industry must do more to urgently tackle food crime according to Queen’s University Belfast food safety expert Professor Chris Elliott, who published the initial findings of his official independent review of the UK’s food supply network last December. Professor Elliott, who is Director of Queen’s University’s Institute for Global Food Security was appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Health in June 2013 to lead the independent review in light of the horsemeat fraud. Professor Elliott is a world-leading expert on food integrity and traceability.

In his interim report, Professor Elliott identifies a range of weaknesses across the existing control systems in the UK and recommends ways to address those weaknesses. According to the Professor, “UK consumers have access to perhaps the safest food in the world but the focus now urgently needs to turn to tackling food crime. “Not enough evidence is collected about food crime and we don’t yet know the extent of how this global problem affects the UK food and drink market, worth £188bn. Estimates of the level of criminality vary, so further investigation needs to be a priority. I will look at this in more detail in the next phase of my review and will look to Government, industry and consumers to help develop the evidence here.

“The UK food industry is currently too vulnerable to criminals wishing to perpetrate fraud. We need a culture within businesses involved in supplying food that focusses on depriving those who seek to deceive consumers. Government, and in particular a more robust Food Standards Agency has a major role to play partnering these efforts. “A food supply system which is much more difficult for criminals to operate in is what we need to deliver, working together.”

Professor Elliott is examining the causes of the systemic failure that enabled the horsemeat fraud, the roles and responsibilities of businesses throughout the food supply chain to consumers and how to support consumer confidence. The ongoing review, which will continue in 2014, focusses on consumer confidence in the authenticity of all food products and any weaknesses in food supply networks which could have implications for food safety and public health. His findings will form recommendations to Defra and the Department of Health on how the UK might be able to increase the resilience of its food systems. The final report will be published in Spring 2014.

Forecast good for tree nut growers While tree nut producers have faced some difficulties, Euler Hermes, the world’s leading provider of trade credit insurance, expects growing global interest in healthier foods to continue to spur demand. Umar Sheikh, industry sector credit analyst at Euler Hermes, said, “Increasing international demand for U.S. tree nuts, in particular, will help maintain margins for local growers.

The company’s “Food Industry Outlook” report highlights the situation with U.S. tree nuts. “U.S. producers are taking advantage of the growing consumption of tree nuts in emerging markets; more than half of all U.S. almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and walnuts are exported. Additionally, increased international demand, combined with a drought that damaged supply in 2011, led to a price spike and a 17 percent drop in consumption last year. Going forward, local growers should benefit from the increasing awareness of nuts’ health benefits, as well as growing demand for U.S. nuts abroad.”

“Increasing international demand for U.S. tree nuts will help maintain margins for local growers (in 2014),” the report says. The report explains how California nut growers have a nearly exclusive hold on U.S. production of almonds, walnuts and pistachios, which are in high demand today.

“Growing consumption of nuts can be linked to heightened interest in health and nutrition. Per capita nut consumption in the U.S. has continued to increase, topping out at four pounds in 2011 versus a 2.2 pound average over the prior 25 year period. The most commonly consumed nuts in the U.S. are almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios.

Approximately 90 percent of nuts are grown in California, including virtually all of the country’s almonds, walnuts and pistachios,” the report says.

The increase in U.S. demand for nuts is shadowed by similar increased foreign consumption of nuts, but nut consumption can be price sensitive. When supply is low and prices are high, consumption does drop. “Producers are taking advantage of growing consumption in emerging markets, currently over half of all pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts grown in the U.S. are exported. Major customers include Hong Kong, Germany, and Canada, though local growers are not overly reliant on any one foreign market. Cashews account for approximately half of all nut imports, coming primarily from Vietnam and India. Pecans, while still popular in the U.S., have seen a spike in exports in recent years, primarily to Hong Kong and China. Growing international demand, coupled with a drought that damaged supply in 2011, led to a spike in prices and a 17% drop in consumption last year.

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The Rise of Plant-based Diets In large parts of the developing world, meat consumption is increasing, but in some developed nations – including in parts of Europe – it is declining. According to FAOSTAT figures, Western Europeans ate about 87 kg of meat per capita in 2009 compared to 95.5 kg in 1990 – a drop of 9% in less than 20 years.

This reflectsa trend of meat reduction, rather than of rising vegetarianism, although the proportion of Europeans who identify as vegetarian has increased too, with rates varying from about 1-2% in some countries, to about 9-10% in Italy and Germany.

Meanwhile, a new dietary pattern has cropped up. Dubbed flexitarianism, it refers to meat reduction rather than fully fledged vegetarianism.

Germany and the Netherlands lead the way in this ‘flexitarian’ way of eating. Research from Wageningen UR last year revealed that more than three-quarters of Dutch consumers say they have at least one meat-free day per week – and 40% eat no meat at least three days a week.

“Reducing meat consumption is a growing trend, but the majority of people keep to their current pattern of meat consumption,” say the researchers, led by Hans Dagevos from the university’s Agricultural Economics Research Institute, adding that only 13% of consumers described themselves as flexitarians.

There are several key reasons: In the past few years, rising meat prices have coincided with a struggling economy, meaning that many western consumers have cut consumption on the back of shrinking incomes; shoppers are becoming more aware of the environmental impacts of eating meat; animal welfare issues have also gained attention; and consumers have started to question how healthy it is to eat large quantities of meat.

Meat reduction has also been boosted by regional meat-free movements,

HERSHEY’S STRIVES FOR CERTIFIED COCOA SOURCING The Hershey Co. reports that 18 percent of the cocoa it sourced globally in 2013 was certified, surpassing its goal of 10 percent, and putting it on track to source 100 percent certified cocoa by 2020 as part of the company’s 21st Century Cocoa Sustainability Strategy.

Its next goal is achieving 40 to 50 percent certified cocoa by 2016.

The company sources its cocoa through UTZ Certified, Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance Certified. Independent auditors apply international standards for labor, environmental responsibility and sustainable farming in the verification process, according to Hershey’s. In addition, the company’s Scharffen Berger brand has attained its 2013 goal of sourcing 100 percent of its cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, Hershey’s reports, noting its Bliss and organic Dagoba brands reached that benchmark in 2012.

Hershey’s Cocoa Sustainability Strategy seeks to address many dimensions of farmer livelihoods, including productivity, improved incomes and labor practices. By 2020, we expect to see the opportunities for West African cocoa farmers significantly improved.

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generally coordinated by NGOs, including vegetarian, animal protection and environmental organizations.

In another recent paper on sustainability issues and meat reduction, Dagevos wrote: “Given the enormous environmental impact of animalprotein consumption and the apparent sympathy of consumers for meat reduction, it is surprising that politicians and policy makers demonstrate little, if any, interest in strategies to reduce meat consumption and to encourage more sustainable eating practices.”

According to his analysis, flexitarians tend to value non-meat protein sources more highly than their heavy-meat eating counterparts. These include cheese, eggs, nuts, mushrooms and pulses, alongside meat sources such as chicken and fish. Meanwhile, meat consumption continues to rise in developing countries – but could those in developing countries be convinced to adopt a similar way of ‘flexitarian’ eating, even as rising incomes allow them to choose more meat products for the first time?

A recent paper from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) pointed out that meat consumption does not rise endlessly in tandem with income, and this pattern is expected even in emerging markets – although it depends on the nation’s food culture.

“It is expected that increases in meat consumption will taper as incomes rise, a pattern that is already evident for China, as shown by the almost straight line of rising meat consumption against logarithmic increases in income. For Brazil, however, it seems that the tapering is less pronounced,” it said.

Consumers prefer low calorie and convenient innovation Aerosol ham, self-cooking meals and non-melting ice cream are among the innovations consumers would like to see from food manufacturers, according to an independent survey by market analyst TNS. The annual Product of the Year survey canvasses 12,000 consumers.

A total of 16% said they would like to see aerosol ham as a future innovation, with 5% declaring it to be the “the next big thing”. Almost half (46%) opted for self-cooking meals, while 39% wanted non-melting ice cream and 27% had a hankering for pre-toasted toast.

The survey highlights what shoppers regarded as the best innovations, including homecare and health and beauty products, low calorie and convenience foods capturing votes. Products gaining the most votes won awards in their respective categories.

A total of 36% of survey respondents cited ‘minus calorie’ food as a product they would most like to try. Products with multifunctional or time-saving features won innovation awards for convenience meal and gravy/stock respectively.

Other brands gaining awards included Mars Chocolate’s Malteaser’s Merryteaser variant, for most innovative seasonal products, Benecol Spreads in the spreads category and Nestlé’s Nescafe Azerea in the coffee category.

World nut & dried fruit news

INC AMBASSADORS • Michael Waring - Chairman, Australia • Oscar E. Vergara, Argentina • Christopher Joyce, Australia • Frank Vaerewijck, Belgium • José Eduardo Camargo, Brazil • Francisco Assis, Brazil • Ranjeet Wallia , Canada • Siegfried Von Gehr, Chile • Chen Ying, China • Alexis Summar, France • Richard Monnier, France • Thomas Apfel, Germany • Cheng Hung Kay, Hong Kong • Pratap Nair, India • Pankaj Sampat, India • Asadollah Asgaroladi, Iran

• Vitali Levy , Israel • Alessandro Annibali, Italy • Kazuo Julian Tagawa, Japan • Mbugua Ngugi , Kenya • Hani Akzam, Lebanon • Parissa Rafii, Luxembourg • Fiodor Slanina, Moldova • Khalid Bennani, Morocco • Kees Van De Sandt, Netherlands • Kees Blokland, Netherlands • Christopher Harlem, Norway • Oliver Sio, Philippines • Jorge Carqueja, Portugal • Kourosh Mojibian, Russia • Rustam Kushu, Russia • Amit Khirbat, Singapore

• Carl Henning, South Africa • Alex Whyte, South Africa • Miquel Borràs, Spain • Stefan Boden, Sweden • Varee Phonphaison, Thailand • Ahmed Boujbel, Tunisia • Sezmen Alper, Turkey • Muzaffer Taviloglu, Turkey • Hasan Sabir , Turkey • Jafar Moallem, UAE • Roby Danon, UK • Marc Rosenblatt , USA • Jeffrey Sanfilippo, USA • Mr. Stephen Sousa, USA • Jim Warner, USA

almonds brazil nuts cashews dehydrated fruit dried fruit hazelnuts macadamia nuts peanuts pecans pine kernels pistachios pumpkin seeds sunflower seeds walnuts

service commitment reliability expertise

Building your business with a rock solid partner enquiries: sales@kenkko.com

ca ll : +44 ( 0) 208 202 6600

www.kenkko.com

March 2014 | The Cracker

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An Inside Look at What's New in Austrailia NUTS FOR LIFE LAUNCHES NEW OUTREACH CAMPAIGN Hot off the press just as The Cracker was being finalized, we have exciting news from Down Under!

Nuts for Life launched a new website and the “healthy handful” logo in late February, a campaign to help remind people of the benefits of regular nut consumption. While a more detailed report will appear in our July issue, we wanted to give you this news as you prepare to depart for our Melbourne Congress. According to Lisa Yates, who administers the Australian program, “The Nuts for Life team will be attending INC 2014 in Melbourne and we look forward to meeting you there!”

Healthy Handful logo

Nuts for Life's preliminary 2014 market research showed just four per cent of Australian adults, seven per cent of dieticians and three per cent family doctors eat a handful (30g) of nuts a day. While low, this number has doubled since 2012 when just two per cent of Australians ate a handful of nuts daily.

To continue to remind people about the importance of regularly eating nuts and to clarify the amount and frequency of the recommended daily intake, Nuts for Life created the new “healthy handful” logo. It will be used across Nuts for Life materials and feature on the new website. They are also exploring opportunities for the logo to appear on nut product labels.

A handful of nuts (30g) daily has been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease by 30-50 per cent, reduce the risk of death from all causes by 20 per cent and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. A daily handful also helps lower cholesterol and manage weight.

You can hear about the benefits of a handful from the “nutty professor” himself, Prof. Joan Sabaté, at http://youtu.be/aQIbRCrJf3U. In

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addition, a newly created infographic illustrates the science supporting the health benefits of eating a handful of nuts a day.

New website Nuts for Life also updated its website www.nutsforlife.com.au with a fresh new look and all the “healthy handful” details. The new website is also mobile responsive, making it easy to check from smartphones and tablets. They welcome your feedback about what you think of the site and hope you find it easy to navigate the wealth of nutty information contained in its pages.

The website is also annually archived by the National Library of Australia http://pandora.nla. gov.au/tep/120843

special report

A Healthy Handful:

The Latest Research Each year a significant number of new research papers are published that continue to build on the body of science supporting the health benefits of eating a handful (30g) of nuts a day. Below are summaries of some of the latest nutty research.

In a Nutshell: A new paper released from the PREDIMED study – the world’s largest study on the Mediterranean diet – has revealed eating a handful of mixed nuts daily may slow the thickening of artery walls and plaque buildup. Researchers say this may be one of the reasons a Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by 28 per cent, compared to a lower fat diet.

The details: Results from the PREDIMED study show a Mediterranean diet enriched with 30g serve of mixed nuts reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attacks and death from cardiovascular disease by 28 per cent, compared to a lower fat control diet. Yet the mechanisms of cardiovascular protection remained unknown.

The PREDIMED researchers analyzed the data of 175 trial participants that followed either the lower fat control diet, the Mediterranean diet enriched with a handful of mixed nuts a day, or the Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil (EVO). They specifically looked at thickness of artery walls and plaque height – ultrasound features that best predict the likelihood of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular events in subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

Compared with the control diet and the Mediterranean diet enriched with EVO, eating a Mediterranean diet supplemented with a handful of mixed nuts a day was associated with delayed progression artery wall thickening and plaque.

New research reveals WHY a Med Diet + a handful of nuts a day reduces risk of heart disease @NutsForLife #PREDIMED http://1.usa.gov/1gyDGFK In a Nutshell: A new study by researchers at Loma Linda University has shown that people who eat a handful of nuts at least once or twice a week have a reduced risk of Metabolic Syndrome – a cluster of conditions including high blood cholesterol, blood glucose, insulin, blood pressure and weight which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

The details: Researchers at Loma Linda University studied 803 Seventh-day Adventist adults using a food questionnaire and assessed their intake of tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts) and peanuts.

The results, published in the online journal PLOS ONE, showed eating a handful (30g) of tree nuts a week was associated with a seven per cent reduction in Metabolic Syndrome. Researchers said increasing tree nut consumption to two handfuls a week could potentially reduce Metabolic Syndrome risk by 14 per cent.

Tree nuts specifically appeared to provide beneficial effects on

Metabolic Syndrome, independent of demographic, lifestyle and other dietary factors.

In addition, the researchers also looked at the effect of tree nut consumption on obesity and found that high tree nut consumers had significantly lower prevalence of obesity compared to the low tree nut consumers.

New research: Eating a handful of nuts once or twice a week may reduce the risk of Met S http://bit.ly/1eJEu6i.

In a nut shell: New research by the Institute of Food Science & Technology, Fuzhou University China has uncovered the prebiotic potential of nuts, showing that two handfuls of almonds a day can promote the growth of good gut bacteria while limiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

The details: The study, published online ahead of print in the April edition of Anaerobe Journal, investigated the prebiotic effects of almond and almond skin intake in healthy adults.

A total of 48 healthy adult volunteers consumed a daily dose of roasted almonds (56g) and almond skins (10g) for six weeks. Stool tests taken during the study and compared to the control group showed significant increases in good bacteria Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp - while growth of harmful bacteria slowed or stopped.

The researchers concluded that almonds and almond skins possess potential prebiotic properties.

New research reveals prebiotic potential of almonds with just 2 handfuls a day promoting gut health http://1. usa.gov/1gDivRE @NutsForLife

Issued on behalf of Nuts For Life Nuts for life is Australia’s leading nutrition authority on tree nuts ad health. The nutrition education initiative, funded by the Australian Tree Nut Industry and Horticulture Australia, aims to educate Australians about the nutrition and health benefits of regular tree nut consumption.

Web - www.nutsforlife.com.au Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Nuts4Life Twitter - @NutsForLife For more information and interviews please contact: Sonya Rogers at Bite Communications on Ph (02) 9977 8195 or 0435 110 670 (Sonya) Story Continues on Page 28 March 2014 | The Cracker

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A Healthy Handful:

Infographic Can you believe only 4% of Australian adults eat the recommended handful of nuts a day? Time to make a healthy handful a daily habit.

Do you know just how many nuts you should eat a day? What makes a healthy handful?

Did you know nut eaters weight less? Here are some more great health reasons to go nuts.

Nut for Life have launched a new logo to remind people of the benefits of eating a healthy handful daily. Check out more info at their new website www.nutsforlife.com.au

Looking for a reason to go nuts?

Check this out @NutsForLife #nutsahealthyhandful Nut eaters weigh less.

Check out more benefits to a daily nut habit @NutsForLife #nutsahealthyhandful Did you know adding a handful of nuts to a meal lowers its GI? @NutsForLife #nutsahealthyhandful Have you had a healthy handful of nuts today? @NutsForLife #nutsahealthyhandful A daily handful of nuts decreases mortality risk @NutsForLife #nutsahealthyhandful

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special report

Production Forecast for the Australian Nut Industry The commercial Australian tree nut industry comprises the almond, macadamia, walnut, pecan, pistachio, hazelnut and chestnut sectors, of which total production reached 130,000 tonnes in 2013, representing a farm gate value of close to AU$ 700 million. Australia is the world’s leading producer of macadamias and second largest almond grower while cultivation of walnuts and hazelnuts is increasing significantly, albeit off a low base. A substantial portion of pistachio consumption is supplied from domestic production and the pecan and chestnut industries are net exporters to global markets.

2014

2020

2025

28,633 18,666 2,980 1,600 1,360 950 172 54,361

33,693 19,998 4,290 2,200 1,600 1,510 258 63,549

38,693 21,108 4,340 2,700 1,800 1,710 362 70,713

80,682 40,600 11,040 3,802 2,300 1,180 129 139,733

93,978 47,627 15,979 4,528 2,900 1,747 343 167,102

108,804 50,986 14,490 4,908 3,200 2,341 774 185,503

565 122 44 21 12 9 1 774

786 143 64 25 15 14 2 1,048

1,054 153 58 27 16 19 5 1,331

450 141 50 13 4 657

605 165 72 15 5 861

793 177 69 14 4 1,058

Area Planted (ha) Almonds Macadamias Walnuts Pecans Chestnuts Pistachios Hazelnuts Total hectares

Production (tonnes) Almonds, kernels Macadamia, inshell Walnuts, inshell Pecans, inshell Chestnuts, inshell Pistachio, inshell Hazelnuts Total Production, tonnes

Farm Gate Value (AU$ million) Almonds Macadamia Walnuts Pecans Chestnuts Pistachio Hazelnuts Total FGV AU$ million

Value of Exports (AU$ million) Almonds Macadamia Walnuts Pecans Chestnuts Total Value of Export AU$ million

Source: Australian Nut Industry Council, 2014

Domestic consumption of tree nuts has been growing at an average of 4% per year for the past decade and last year Australian domestic consumption of tree nuts exceeded 50,000 tonnes for the first time. Significant credit for this is attributable to the Nuts for Life program in which Australian growers, importers and traders substantially invest. Nuts for Life is an internationally renowned, allof-industry project established in 2003 to provide scientifically-based information about the nutrition and health benefits of tree nuts which has done much to transform attitudes to nut consumption in Australia and elsewhere..

Table 1(left) outlines the current production across the Australian tree nut sector with projections out to 2025. Both in terms of area planted (hectares) and production (tonnes) growth of more than 30% is forecast over this period. Whilst the two largest industries, almonds and macadamias, continue to dominate, the other sectors are also increasingly realising strong growth potential.

The current Australian almond crop (80,682 tonnes kernel) accounts for just over 50% of the Australian tree nut plantings and slightly more (55%) of production. Macadamia production has slowed in recent years, due in part to the devastating impact of floods and to the advancing age of the original plantations.

Current production is approximately 40,000 tonnes inshell (11,500 tonnes kernel) from 19,000 ha.

Hazelnut plantings are forecast to increase 110% by area over the next decade, not including the declared intention of international confectioner Ferrero Rocher to plant as many as one million trees starting in 2014 as part of an AU$ 70 Story Continues on Page 30 March 2014 | The Cracker

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million investment in southern NSW which will significantly alter the landscape of nut production in Australia once again.

On current projections, pistachios (80%), pecans (69%) and walnuts (46%) will also experience substantial growth over the next decade. Notwithstanding these advances, almond plantings will continue to eclipse those of all other trees nuts combined into the foreseeable future as that sector remains the powerhouse of the Australian industry.

As existing non-bearing and new plantings progressively come online, tree nut production in Australia is expected to increase in all sectors by between 25% and 100% over the coming decade, substantially bolstering all commercial industries.

After the massive flooding that took place across much of the country in 2010 and 2011, many areas of Australia are returning to the drought conditions so familiar in this dry continent. The nut industry generally is well-placed to withstand such effects by dint of some of the worlds’ most efficient irrigation systems through which production has been largely sustained. In fact, during the significant drought in the Murray Darling Basin during the early 2000s, nut production increased whilst traditional broadacre agriculture was severely impacted. Being such a high value crop, nuts will justify expenditure on water above almost all other crops, and growers can maintain healthy orchards so long as water is available for purchase.

The farm gate value (FGV) of the Australian nut industry (at 2014 prices) is projected to increase by 72% between now and 2025. The currently modest hazelnut sector is anticipating a several-fold increase while both pistachios and almonds are eyeing a doubling in value. By 2025 the almond crop may top AU$1 billion and macadamias AU$150M Tree nuts make a significant export contribution to the Australian economy. Australian nut production is countercyclical to the northern hemisphere powerhouse producers.

Australian nuts are understood to be a clean, high quality product that is in high demand worldwide.

Almonds, chestnuts, macadamias, pecans and walnuts are all exported and are highly prized. Since 2011 the nut industry has been Australian horticulture’s largest exporter, with a value of over AU$ 680 million (FOB), of which almonds account for approximately half. Some three-quarters of the Australian almond crop is exported while two-thirds of our macadamias head overseas. The majority of Australian walnuts are exported (predominantly as a premium inshell product) and similarly with pecans. About one third of the chestnut crop is exported with pistachios and hazelnuts consumed locally.

The focus on export markets is expected to continue as production increases and new opportunities are created by industry marketing initiatives and the prospect of falling tariffs resulting from successful trade negotiations. On current projections, the export value of the Australian tree nut sector will exceed AU$1 billion within a decade.

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special report

Aussie Macadamia Nuts Crack the Social Scene The rise of social media has been a double-edged sword for marketers. While popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube make it simple for any brand to broadcast content, they have also created an environment more cluttered with messages than ever before. LYNNE ZIEHLKE, Market Development Manager for the Australian Macadamia Society, shares her insights on how her industry has leveraged social media to promote Australian macadamias both domestically and abroad.

It wasn’t so long ago that Australian Macadamias was a disjointed brand from a consumer perspective, with a limited online presence. Fast forward five years, and it’s a very different picture. Having rebranded with a unique look and feel that industry members are proud of, we are also making inroads in the online space, in particular with social media.

There is no doubt that in an environment of fragmented audiences, multiple platforms and intense competition for attention, it can be a challenge to cut through and engage meaningfully with audiences locally and internationally. However there are a few basics worth remembering when seeking success in the social space.

Get your story straight While the uptake of social media has been a game-changer for the Australian macadamia industry, it’s important to remember that the fundamental basics of successful marketing communication remain the same. In fact, they are more important than ever for building real communities around your brand.

Before posting, tweeting, pinning or sharing, it’s important to get clear on what story you want to convey, and who will be interested.

For our domestic marketing, we knew we had compelling messages around product heritage, versatility, health, growing regions and seasonality. Who did we think would be receptive to this information? Consumers, for one! But also chefs, food writers and other influencers as well as marketers from our major processors and interested food manufacturers, who are seeking to engage their customers with relevant content.

Social media enabled us to get our messages out to the right people and start meaningful two-way conversations directly with consumers, in a cost-effective way that was previously impossible.

It enables us to take the lead in terms of what we say and when, and it has made us more visible to wholesalers, product developers, investors and the broader food industry.

While a mass media TV or print campaign could undoubtedly increase consumer awareness, it would not enable intimate dialogue with consumers, nor would it have allowed us to impart the level of product knowledge that we have been able to via social media.

Social starts at home Armed with insights from consumer research, we knew that while Australia led the world in macadamia production, we had a way to go in terms of consumer knowledge and appreciation for our native nut in the domestic market. Furthermore, we felt that this lack of understanding was limiting the potential of growth in consumption and manufacturer use in food products. We needed to become more visible. It was time to step out of the shadows and get social.

Our first step was to develop a social media campaign to make macadamias more visible in their homeland, our largest and most stable market, before taking on the world.

Working with a specialist digital agency, we developed a social media mix that includes Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube and then began regularly publishing platform-specific content designed to educate, entertain and engage our audience.

Content is king The core challenge for any successful social media campaign is generating engaging, timely and quality content. Without that, all else falls flat.

With Australians becoming increasingly interested in the way their food is grown and produced, we promoted these attributes when telling our story domestically. We started with our beautiful, iconic back story of the first macadamia trees that grew some 60,000 years ago in the rainforests of Australia’s north-east coast and the precious nuts that were treasured by the area’s Aboriginal people.

This was followed by the development of a solid library of content that now includes hundreds of recipes, grower stories, ‘how-to’ videos, product imagery, and picturesque farm and growing region imagery. This content has proven extremely popular domestically and overseas.

Some of the hottest topics have been ‘how to crack a macadamia nut’, ‘grower stories’, ‘photos of trees in flower’ and of course tempting recipes.

Content developed to tie in with major occasions such as Christmas, Australia Day and Valentine’s Day has also proven very popular as many people celebrate these occasions with macadamias.

For any social campaign, it’s critical to select content that matches your channel.

• Twitter: Twitter is ideal for up-to-the-minute snippets and news. For example we tweeted when a celebrity chef was cooking a pavlova using macadamias during a free-to-air TV Christmas special.

• Facebook: Here we feature longer content such as behind-the-scenes grower stories, harvest updates, health tips by our dietitian and recipes.

A consistent presence is maintained year-round, often outside Story Continues on Page 32 March 2014 | The Cracker

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of standard business hours. We were very active over the 2013/14 summer holiday period - a time when many other brands go quiet. This resulted in increased reach and conversation from the community over the important festive period, which is also the peak period for macadamia consumption.

• YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest: Being highly visual, these channels focus heavily on content such as beautiful food photography, cooking videos and location shots of macadamia trees in flower.

Cracking the global conversation Once we had a model that was working in Australia, it made sense to adapt what we had learnt here to fit the overseas market.

In Japan - one of our core markets - we had achieved great results by engaging a network of expert bloggers, and this continues to play an important role in our marketing mix. However Facebook and Twitter have become increasingly popular in Japan, and we wanted to extend our online presence to leverage this audience. We have been able to do this by building an active online social community and we have also invested in advertising on Facebook in order to drive traffic to our page.

In Germany, we had been battling product deletions and a lack of interest in product origin. A new digital strategy in this core market features our multi-lingual website as the ‘hub’, with a German Facebook page, blog and e-newsletter feeding into this.

The flexibility and control we have over our social media presence enables us to target a variety of audience groups - from backpackers to food gourmets - and promote key messages of quality, health, consumption occasion and Australia as a destination and product source. By creating a strong presence on Facebook, we’re tapping into Germany’s leading social network, with a user base now in excess of 24 million people.

Taiwan and Korea are emerging markets for us and have recently seen strong growth in demand for health foods, along with a growing focus on taste and snacking. While we invest more heavily in TV and magazine placement in these markets, social is key to ensuring

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we get the most from our traditional media spend. It allows us to highlight TV and magazine coverage, effectively extending the life of the communication. By combining social and traditional media, we were able to reach 2.5 million consumers (over 10 per cent of the population), with a wide range of messages, in our first year in Taiwan. We launched more recently into Korea and eagerly await the reach results in this market.

This global strategy has exposed us to increased collaboration opportunities, with many marketers developing business relationships and alliances with other origin partners. The fact that so many of the messages that we developed for the domestic market have resonated overseas has created a positive culture of cooperation and information-sharing between markets. Social media has made the world smaller than ever!

Proof is in the pudding Two years into our social media program and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

With consistent and ongoing activity, we have reached millions of people on Facebook and Twitter alone. Plus, we have connected with dozens of key influencers such as high profile bloggers, chefs, food journalists, critics and dietitians – and gained significant media coverage – to amplify our efforts across Australia and globally.

We’ve been pleasantly surprised to have found a genuinely passionate group of people who love macadamia nuts and have a real thirst for knowledge about the process. Whether it be a comment on a macadamia tree in bloom, tips on macadamia storage or new recipes, we receive a stream of positive comments and are building a community online that is growing every day.

Social media has given macadamia enthusiasts a real voice and it’s fantastic to see comments such as “We need a love button, not just a like button”, “I love macadamias”, “I’m addicted to the little nut” and “They are the best!”.

Overall, social media is now a vital piece of our marketing toolkit to help us achieve our goal of making macadamias Australia’s favourite nut, and continuing to grow our international trade.

To learn more and access links to our social channels to see our campaign in action, please email lynne.ziehlke@macadamias.org.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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XXXIII World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress 20-22 May 2014

Dear friends, We are delighted to invite you to Melbourne, Australia for the XXXIII World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress from 20-22 May 2014. The Congress will bring together nut and dried fruit people from around the world to network, learn and debate the present and future of our industry in world-class thought-leadership round tables, satellite meetings, seminars and keynote speaker presentations.

We encourage you to book your accommodation as soon as possible. The plenary sessions and meetings will be held below the 5-stars Crown Towers Hotel. This is the main Congress hotel, with many room type options. The Promenade Hotel and Metropol Hotel are next door, almost as close as Crown Towers to the sessions. We invite you to visit the Congress microsite at http://melbourne2014. nutfruit.org/en for all reservation options. Both hotels are excellent and part of the largest entertainment complex in the Southern Hemisphere: the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex.

An INC Congress would not be complete without its variety of social events. The Welcome Cocktail will be held at The Australian Club on Tuesday, May 20th; the Casual Dinner will take place on Wednesday, May 21st at the National Gallery of Victory -Australia’s oldest public art gallery, and the traditional Gala Cocktail, Dinner and Ball will close the Congress on Thursday, May 22nd at the splendid Crown Palladium.

In addition, we have planned an exciting program of pre-Congress tours to explore Australia’s nut industry: 1) a pre-tour to

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Southern Australia -the iconic Australian Outback, with visits to walnut, pistachio, almond and grape growing regions and 2) a one-day tour on May 19, the day before the congress begins, to Healesville Sanctuary to get up close to kangaroos and other iconic wildlife, and luncheon at Yering Estate Winery.

Australia is very well serviced by many of the major airlines, with many daily flights to capitals. Check airlines for their allegiance to either One World or Star Alliance, and many offer combined, or through ticket deals, and please pay particular attention to the Visa and Travel requirements. You can visit the Congress microsite to identify the right visa application process.

We hope you will take up the many opportunities for you to enjoy the Congress and all that it has to offer.

We will ensure you have a memorable and productive visit “Down Under”.

Yours sincerely, Organizing Committee Michael Waring, Congress Chairman Giles Hacking, INC Chairman Jack Mariani, INC Past Chairman Goretti Guasch, INC Executive Director

This is the place where the industry comes to do business + 1,000 professionals from + 50 countries

REGISTER NOW!

More information at www.nutfruit.org

INC Melbourne Congress Preliminary Program- May 2014

9.00-9.30 9.30-10.00 10.00-10.30 10.30-11.00 11.00-11.30 11.30-12.00 12.00-12.30 12.30-1.00 1.00-1.30 1.30-2.00

Tuesday 20

Wednesday 21

9.00-9.30 CONGRESS OPENING Palladium A&B Award for Excellence in Research Lifetime Achievement Award

9.00-9.30 ALMONDS Round Table Chaired by Craig Duerr, Campos Brothers, USA. Palladium A&B

10.15-11.00 MACADAMIAS, PINE NUTS & BRAZIL NUTS Round Table Chaired by Riccardo Calcagni, V. Besana Spa, Italy and China Chamber of Commerce, CCCFNA.

10.30-11.00 PISTACHIOS Round Table Chaired by Mark Masten, Paramount Farms, USA.

11.00-11.30 Coffee Break Sponsored by Indufrut Internacional Ltda, Chile.

Palladium Foyer

11.00-11.30 Coffee Break Sponsored by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, USA.

11.00-11.30 Coffee Break Sponsored by Crain Walnut Shelling Inc, USA.

11.30-12.00 HAZELNUTS Round Table Chaired by Dursun G체rsoy, G체rsoy Tarim Urunler, Turkey.

11.30-12.00 CASHEWS Round Table Chaired by Hari Nair, Western India Cashew, India.

12.00-12.30 WALNUTS Round Table Chaired by John Aguiar, Mariani Nut Company, USA.

12.00-12.45 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

12.30-1.00 PECANS Round Table Chaired by Jeffrey Sanfilippo, J.B. Sanfilippo, USA.

12.45-1.15 PEANUTS Round Table Chaired by Harry Sinclair, Kraft Foods, USA.

1.00-2.00 Buffet Working Lunch Palladium C & River 2 & 3

1.00-2.00 Buffet Working Lunch Sponsored by Rajkumar Impex Pvt Ltd, India.

Palladium C & River 2 & 3

1.15-2.15 Buffet Working Lunch Sponsored by Sun-Maid Growers of California, USA .

Palladium C & River 2 & 3

2.00-3.30 DRIED FRUIT SEMINAR Chaired by Mark King, Australian Dried Fruit Association, Australia.

Palladium A&B

2.00-2.45 Scientific Seminar Moderated by Pino Calcagni, INC Vice Chairman and Chair of the Scientific & Government Affairs Committee.

2.45-3.30 Nutrition Research Update

by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvad처, Chair of the INC World Forum for Nutrition Research & Dissemination.

Palladium A&B

11.30-1.00 Satellite HAZELNUTS Moderated by Vittorio Friedmann, Voicevale, UK. Palladium A&B

11.30-1.00 Satellite CASHEWS Sponsored by the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India.

Moderated by Amit Khirbat, Olam, Singapore.

River 1

3.00-3.30

6.00-6.30 6.30-7.00 7.00-7.30 7.30-8.00

9.00-10.00 INC GENERAL ASSEMBLY 10.00-10.15 Innovation Award 30 Congresses Plaques Palladium A&B

9.30-11.00 Satellite MACADAMIAS Moderated by Riccardo Calcagni, V. Besana Spa, Italy and Jack Mariani, Mariani Nut Company, USA. River 1

9.30-11.00 Satellite ALMONDS Moderated by Craig Duerr, Campos Brothers, USA. Palladium A&B

2.00-2.30 2.30-3.00

9.30-10.15 KEYNOTE SPEAKER John Bertrand, The Principals of Leadership

Thursday 22

6.00-8.00 WELCOME COCKTAIL Sponsored by V. Besana SPA, Italy The Australian Club

7.00-8.00 GALA COCKTAIL 7.00-10.00 CASUAL DINNER Sponsored by Select Harvest Ltd, Australia National Gallery of Victoria

8.00-8.30 8.30-9.00 9.00-9.30 9.30-10.00 10.00-10.30 10.30-11.00 11.00-11.30

10.15-10.30 2015 Congress Presentation

8.00-11.30 GALA DINNER AND BALL Sponsored by HAL - Australian Macadamia Society, Australia Crown Palladium Award for Excellence in Gastronomy Golden Nut Award

8.00-6.00 Congress Registration from Sunday 18 May through Thursday (on Sunday, Registration opens at 12.00 midday) 9.00-5.00 Exhibition from Tuesday through Thursday (on Thursday, Exhibition ends at 2.00 pm) Wednesday 14 May, 9.00-5.00, Second World Forum for Nutrition Conference, Brisbane

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The Cracker | March 2014

Sponsors Bring your brand to the top. Take a sponsorship and ensure your brand is seen by all +1000 world-class industry leaders and professionals.

The meeting point for the nut and dried fruit businesses to seek industry opportunities, make deals, learn and network.

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Social Events Welcome Cocktail at The Australian Club, Tuesday, 20th May. Established in 1878, The Australian Club is one of nine clubs founded in Melbourne by English settlers in the 19th century. The Club has a rich history and was originally founded as a venue for Melbourne and Victorian businessmen to lodge and associate. Today, The Australian Club still serves as a destination for those looking to escape the strain of modern life, and relax in an inviting and friendly atmosphere. All the original architecture remains intact, showing the club’s true 19th century Victorian origins. Although many of the rules of the club have changed over the years, it still retains its tradition and prosperity as one of Melbourne’s finest clubs. Be sure to enjoy not only its special surroundings, but also its fine cuisine and attentive service.

Casual Dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria, Wednesday, 21st May. The Gallery is home to a collection of artworks that reflect many different styles and attracts thousands of visitors each winter for its Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibitions. As a function space the National Gallery of Victoria is truly unique. The Great Hall is famous for its high ceiling which showcases a stunning stained glass design.

Overlooking the Grollo Equiset Garden, home to some of the Gallery’s most impressive sculptures, this venue is ideal for a wonderful evening networking amongst colleagues.

Experience the majestic views of the National Gallery of Victoria while you enjoy cocktails and culinary delights of Melbourne.

Cocktail, Gala Dinner at Crown Palladium, Thursday, 22nd May. The Palladium at Crown is Australia’s premier ballroom. From the moment you enter this magnificent room you will be impressed and inspired with magnificent custom-designed carpets, 7 meter ceilings and superbly appointed fittings. It is a unique level of opulence that flows throughout this pillarless ballroom –the largest in Australia. It is also one of Australia’s most technologically advanced venues, with state-of-the-art sound and projection systems.

Most impressive, the Palladium at Crown is the venue of choice for some of Australia’s most prestigious events, including the TV Week Logie Awards, the Australian Football League Brownlow Medal, the Official Australian Grand Prix Ball and the Allan Border Medal..

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Spouse Tours

Please note that the registration deadline is April 30, 2014.

Gardens of Melbourne, Wednesday, 21st May. The city once prided itself as “The Garden City” and while that old moniker has gone, the majesty of Melbourne’s gardens remains and is as spectacular as ever. Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens, as well as visits to some of Melbourne’s lesser know but equally treasured nature spaces. Discover Melbourne’s abundant parks and leafy gardens. Take a break from the hectic pace of the city and enjoy floral displays, manicured lawns, ancient elms, cooling fountains and heritage architecture.

Attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually, the gardens are home to both amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, succulents and cacti, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads and plants from Southern China.

Heritage Buildings of Melbourne, Thursday, 22nd May. Visit some of Melbourne’s most impressive heritage buildings and learn of the wealth and inspired architecture of Melbourne’s gold rush era. We will visit the interiors of numerous large buildings to appreciate the intricate decorations and amazing features of a “Marvelous Melbourne”.

Walk from Crown across the river to the Immigration Museum area, visit the building (not the museum) and learn of the wealth and architecture of the Gold Rush in Melbourne. Visit six interiors of large buildings to see the grandeur of the time, gold leaf, amazing windows and domes.

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Tours

Pre Tour: Southern Australia - Southern New South Wales / Northern Victoria / South Australia, Friday 16 May - Sunday 18 May (3 days) Your opportunity to visit the Walnut, Pistachio and Almond growing regions of Australia. Experience the iconic Australian growing regions that are the avenue to the Australian Outback.

Firstly, this tour will take you to Walnuts Australia Pty Ltd’s Leeton Orchard and new processing facility in the Riverina district of New South Wales. Furthermore, you will visit the Shearer’s Hall of Fame, a new exciting Interpretative Center devoted to the culture, stories, and passion of Australian sheep farming and shearing.

Photograph courtesy of the Almond Board of Australia

You will visit CMV’s pistachios orchard and Australian Pioneer Pistachio Company at Tol Tol, which pioneered the growing of Australian pistachios in the early 1980’s. The visit will be followed by an inspection of Select Harvests’ almond orchards at Wemen and Olam’s new hulling and shelling plant at Carwarp –the largest in Australia and one of the largest in the world. We will wrap up the tour with a visit to the dried grape / stone fruit industry in the region surrounding Mildura.

One Day Tour: Yarra Valley, Monday 19 May Enjoy a delightful journey into the Yarra Valley to experience two of the icons of this region. At the famous Healesville Sanctuary you will be guided throughout the exhibits on a special ranger-guided tour, providing exceptional insights into Australia’s best collection of native fauna. See Koalas and kangaroos in the wild.

We will then journey to Victoria’s oldest vineyard, the multi award-winning Yering Station. Here we will enjoy a relaxing lunch, with an opportunity to explore the extensive facilities and perhaps sample Yering’s exceptional range of wines.

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INC Awards

Golden Nut Award Honoring excellence in the nuts and dried fruit industry, the Golden Nut Award is the maximum international recognition to the excellence in the sector. The Honorary Golden Nut Award recognizes a governmental or non-governmental organization (NGO) dignitary who has significantly contributed to the industry; the Corporate Golden Nut Award recognizes a company which has made a significant contribution to the nuts and dried fruit sector -a truly outstanding example of production and marketing, and the Individual Golden Nut Award recognizes an individual who has clearly made a significant contribution to the industry (not just his/her own company) over a period of years.

Award for Excellence in Research The INC Award for Excellence in Research is aimed at recognizing outstanding researchers whose contributions have led to significant accomplishments in health and nutrition research related to nuts and/or dried fruits.

Award for Excellence in Gastronomy The INC Award for Excellence in Gastronomy is a recognition that acknowledges chefs who have made significant contributions to high gastronomy: culinary creations and new product development including nuts and/or dried fruit.

MEETING Point Again this year, we launch the online Meeting Point, a social networking tool to enhance your experience and expand your networking connections. The Meeting Point enables INC members to maximize their time on-site by providing an easy way to connect with other attendees and exhibitors before and during the event.

INC members can use the Meeting Point to: • Connect: Network with other attendees and INC members prior to the event. • Meet: Contact attendees and exhibitors with shared interests and setup on-site meetings. • Plan: Create a personalized schedule including conference sessions and meetings.

Filter by product and activity

Set Up a Meeting List of participants

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OUR PEOPLE

INC SENATORS In order to commemorate the members of the different committees of the INC, The Cracker magazine will publish a series of special chapters. With this action, we would like to thank all people that have been of key relevance for the growth of the INC and to express our gratitude for their continued support in the past and through the years.

The first committee featured in The Cracker is the Senators Group. Senators are people in the nut and dried fruit industry who offer or have offered exceptional services towards achieving the aims of the INC. They are appointed for life time by the Board of Directors and ratified by the General Assembly.

HUbERT bERREbI, INC SeNaTor SINCe 1993.

In January 1983, together with other six visionaries, Hubert Berrebi co-founded the INC at Somercom’s office in Paris, France. Over the years, he has been General Secretary and Treasurer (1989-1991), Vice President (1992), and INC Ambassador for France (1994-2012). “In my travels all over the world I have always defended the nutrient, healthy and tasty qualities of nuts. Together with the other members of the Executive Committee, we defended the necessary existence of this body for the dried fruit and nuts industries. The success of the INC, which today counts on more than 600 members, is for sure the result of the permanent work done by its six Presidents and the successive members of the Executive Committee.” Berrebi also organized the INC Congress in Paris in 1989, year of the bicentenary of the French Revolution.

RAOUL GAmON, INC SeNaTor SINCe 2007.

Member of the INC since the beginning, Raoul Gamon was in the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors (1992-2007), and was General Secretary from 1995 to 2007. “I have attended all Conventions and Congresses, since 1980 until the last one in Barcelona 2013. During all this time, I did my best to bring new members and participants in every country I was, while developing my professional activity at Somercom.

I always led for the nuts and dried fruits, and for the INC, the Great Organization that allows all the actors in the sector to gather and work together.

We can all be proud of its success.”

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HELmUT DANkERT, INC SeNaTor SINCe 2011.

Former Vice Chairman (1993-2003), member of the INC Board of Directors (1991-2011), and the PR, Membership and Ambassadors Committee (1994-2001) Helmut Dankert chaired the XV World Tree Nut Congress in Berlin in 2005, which registered more than 630 participants and brought an extraordinary keynote speaker: Dr. Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. He is also Founder and President of Nucis e.V. Deutschland, the purpose of which is to promote tree nuts healthy benefits and to develop German language informative materials and website for doctors, dieticians, nutritional scientists and trade journals.

CHRIS HACkING, INC SeNaTor SINCe 1993.

Co-Founder of the INC, Chris Hacking was ViceChairman from the beginning in 1986 until 1991.

Together with Pino Calcagni, Simon Khayat, Antonio Pont, Hans Ramseier, Paul Graf, Hubert Berrebi and John Degler, the Founders envisioned an interdisciplinary and international effort to improve knowledge about tree nuts, to strengthen the sector, and to promote research and consumption. With amazing foresight, they identified the issues and pictured a direct membership organization –the INC. Senator since 1993, Hacking also chaired the XI World Tree Nut Congress, held in London in 1997, which attracted 529 participants. The family business which he founded 45 years ago is now run by his son Giles the present INC Chairman, whose son Edward joined us all in Barcelona and Reus for the opening of the new headquarters.

OUR PEOPLE INC SENATORS WALTER F. PAyNE, INC SeNaTor SINCe 1990.

Former INC Vice Chairman (1986-1989) and member of the Board (1998-2001). “I’ve watched with amazement the growth in supply and consumption of tree nuts in the last decade. It reflects on the excellent job the industry leaders are doing to promote the product throughout the world, and the inherent wholesomeness of the product itself. I remember succinctly the meetings of the INC Board in the very early days. We knew we had a very powerful vehicle but we were searching for a way to best use it beyond having meaningful congresses. We found that purpose in the late nineties when tree nuts were under heavy media criticism because of their fat content. INC funded several nutritional studies that supported what we all knew, that tree nuts were good for you & that their fat was “good fat.” The rest as they say is history.”

AbbAS RAFII, INC SeNaTor SINCe 2007.

Ireco Company, established by Abbas Rafii in 1971, was dedicated to introducing and marketing pistachios in Europe, which where hitherto completely unknown. After years of hard work and perseverance, it became one of the main suppliers of pistachios in the European market, exporting to over 20 countries, and as such is a true reference.

In 1991, Rafii was elected to the Board of Directors of the INC, and he chaired the X World Tree Nut Congress in Luxembourg in 1995. In 2006, he was awarded the prize of Entrepreneur of the Year in Luxembourg, and in 2007 he was given the medal of Commandeur de l’Ordre de Mérite du GrandDuché de Luxembourg by HRH the Grand Duc of Luxembourg.

DON SOETAERT, INC SeNaTor SINCe 1990.

January 17, 2014 marked the 40th year of Don Soetaert’s tenure in the tree nut and dried fruit industries in California. Don’s life of leadership, management and entrepreneurship began as an officer in the US Marines.

His mantra ever since has been “Make a Difference”…

Don’s “Difference” is encapsulated below after becoming President of INC in 1992.

JAmES SWINk,

Dear Don, In 1993, when you founded the INC Nutrition Research & Education Foundation, who but you could have envisioned that 20 years later it would become a thriving nut research organization and by sponsoring the latest research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, created a world wide energy and demand for tree nuts. Thank you for your foresight and persistence. Hundreds if not thousands of growers and processors and INC members will benefit from your foresight long after you and I have eaten our last nut.

Sincerely, Bert Steir Ex Comm. Member Paramount Farms, Inc.

JACk TAILLIE,

INC SeNaTor SINCe 1993.

Former member of the INC Board of Directors (1986-1992) Taillie has been involved in the trade and industry of nuts and dried fruits more than 40 years. By order of her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jack was granted Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2006. This very prestigious royal decoration recognized Jack’s achievements as Board member (more than 25 years) and Chairman of the Netherlands Dried Fruit Trade Association (NZV). Among his many activities, Jack was also president of the European Federation of the Trade in Dried Fruit Edible Nuts, Processed Fruit Vegetables et. al (FRUCOM). In 2008, Jack resigned from his post as managing director of Daarnhouwer & Co. In 2011, after almost 43 years of service to the company, he decided to leave the business and devote his time to his family and travelling in mainly African countries where support is given to developing projects.

INC SeNaTor SINCe 2007.

By the early 1990’s Young Pecan was the largest pecan shelling and marketing company in the world, and Swink was elected President/CEO in 1992. “I attended my first INC Congress in 1989. It was quite evident to me that the relatively unknown pecan could benefit from the association with the well organized International Tree Nut Industry.” In 1998, he chaired the INC Congress in Charleston, and was elected to the Board in 2000, becoming its first member from the Pecan Industry. “My association with INC has been the single most influential industry organization that has shaped the direction of our company. The spirit in which it conveys the message of tree nut consumption on the world stage is truly unrivaled.”

FRANk VAEREWIJCk,

INC SeNaTor SINCe 2011.

Frank joined the INC in 1989, invited by Pino Calcagni, Walter Payne and Jack Taillie, and joined the Board of Directors in 1991. From that day on he assisted to all 23 congresses, except for Hawaii and Cairns. He has been member of the Board (19912011), General Secretary (1992-1995) and, along with Antonio Pont and Pino Calcagni, created the Ambassadors Committee, which he chaired for many years. Frank organized a Brussels Symposium with the European Commission in 1990, and cooperated in the INC Congress in Luxemburg in 1995.

Nowadays, his daughter Barbara and youngest son Maarten assist him at Q.M., the distribution business he started in Belgium forty years ago.

DOUG yOUNGDAHL,

INC SeNaTor SINCe 2011.

Former President and Chief Executive Officer at Blue Diamond Growers, Youngdahl launched a cost-cutting, continuous improvement, valueadded marketing strategy. He ran Blue Diamond from 2001 through 2010, a period in which the sector witnessed its first one billion pound crop.

“Our much publicized optimism amidst a sea of pessimism made a difference in the last decade.

This belief that almond price in the marketplace is determined by supply, demand and confidence is one I rigorously applied and encourage the almond industry to continue over the next decade.”

Youngdahl was member of the Executive Committee of the INC from 2003 to 2011, and the Board of Directors from 2002 to 2011. Senator since 2011, he was given the Cooperative Leader Award by the Agricultural Council of California that same year.

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

100% Co-exhibitors’

PARIS 2014 INC PAVILION

Overall Satisfaction

The Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) is the largest food innovation observatory in the world dedicated to the agri-food industry, food retail, and institutional and commercial catering. This year, the show is expected to attract more than 150,000 visitors and 5,800 exhibitors from 200 countries in Paris, France, from 19 to 23 October 2014.

The only pavilion exclusively dedicated to nuts and dried fruit offers just what you want: premium position, customers, contacts, support and success.

If you wish to learn more, please contact marketing@nutfruit.org

We thank our exhibitors for joining us in the biggest and most exciting food exhibition in the world.

DR FRUIED IT

NU & TS

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

NUTS AND DRIED FRUITS: OUR HEROES, OUR ALLIES

Our superheroes team up to fight diseases and celebrate the victory over the “bad guys”.

INC AT GULFOOD DUBAI The INC exhibited at GulFood Dubai, Middle East’s Number 1 trade event for the foodservice and hospitality industries, from 23rd to 27th February 2014. With over 20,000 brands, 4,500 exhibitors and double the features from 2013, this is one of the most important food, drink and hospitality markets events, and provides industry suppliers with the region’s largest business hub.

INC Present at Middle East’s Number 1 trade event.

INC’s booth at Hall Sheik Saeed welcomed over 100 visitors, who were interested in the wide-ranging activities and services of our organization.

The show gave us the opportunity to meet potential new INC members and Congress participants. All in all it was a successful exhibition and generated a positive response in all respects.

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

INC releases a short animated film about “nuts and dried fruits: superheroes with superpowers”. Based on the nutritional facts of nuts and dried fruits, the cartoons highlight the importance of a healthy diet supplemented with nuts and dried fruits. The aim of the video is to spread the health message and entertain kids worldwide.

In 1 minute, our seventeen heroes face diseases (enemies) while the viewer learns the essential nutrients (superpowers) that each superhero possesses.

The cartoons are being disseminated through the website and major video streaming websites, such as YouTube and Vimeo.

INC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING The INC Executive Committee met in Dubai, UAE on February 28th to review the year’s financial and ongoing projects within the INC Strategic Plan of Actions and Budget.

The members of the Executive Committee discussed the reports and activities developed within the Ambassadors Committee, as well as the activities of the Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, the World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination, and the ad-hoc working groups: Global Cashew Council and Macadamias Committee.

The Executive Committee also reviewed current and new projects for 2014, including among others INC’s pavilion in SIAL Paris, the publication of the 2008-2013 Global Statistical Review, the World Nuts and Dried Fruits Trade Map, the 2013 Food Safety Alerts Report, the magazine Health & Nuts, and the cartoons “Nuts and Dried Fruits: our Heroes, our Allies”. The meeting concluded with the preparations for the XXXIII World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Melbourne, Australia, 20-22 May 2014.

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF CASHEWS, GLOBAL CASHEW COUNCIL The Global Cashew Council expects new analyses of the nutritional composition cashews.

Following the recommendations by the INC World Forum for Nutritional Research and Dissemination, the Global Cashew Council (GCC) requested a first analysis of the nutritional composition of cashews.

GCC collected and made analyze samples of fresh natural dried raw cashew kernels (Anacardium occidentale), not processed, from the main producing countries, namely India, Cote d’Ivoire, Viet Nam, Brazil, Kenya and Mozambique.

This first analysis focused on the fatty acid profile. Lab analysis included: fatty acid profile, total dietary fiber, sugar profile, carbohydrates calculated (difference), water content, raw protein, ash, sodium, and other nutrient values (64 nutrients total).

On May 2013, GCC agreed to extend the analysis to further examine the healthy components of cashew nuts and complete their nutritional profile. GCC agreed to extend the analysis with vitamins, aminoacids, minerals and phytosterols in cashew nuts from India, Viet Nam, Brazil, East & West Africa.

Phytosterols, or plant sterols, have been shown to lower blood cholesterol, which may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. By including vitamins, aminoacids, minerals and phytosterols, the resulting database would be comparable with that by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. With the results of the analysis, the GCC will be in the position of publishing the outcomes in an academic journal.

2008-2013 GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

The book “2008-2013 Nuts and Dried Fruits, Global Statistical Review” is the fourth issue of INC’s collection of statistics on world production, imports, exports and consumption of nuts and dried fruits.

This annual publication gathers a broad range of data: production volume values from 2008 to 2013, trade volume values from 2008 to 2012, and consumption estimates for fifteen products: almonds, Amazonia (Brazil) nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, dates, dried apricots, dried figs, prunes and dried grapes. Statistics are classified by product, year, country, production, exports and imports.

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

WORLD NUTS & DRIED FRUITS TRADE MAP INC Members are about to receive the first World Map of nuts and dried fruits trade flows.

INC is sending by mail a folding world map (72x102 cm) that is aimed at giving a quick and clear overview of the movement of trade flows in the global market of nuts and dried fruits.

The map will be also distributed to stakeholders, government and official authorities in agriculture, economy and trade around the world.

Sponsored by:

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NEWS FROM THE INC SECRETARIAT

EU-RASFF NOTIFICATIONS FOR DRIED FRUITS DROP By 49%, SLIGHTLy INCREASE FOR NUTS In 2013, the number of notifications for dried fruits issued by the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) decreased 49% from 2012. This significant drop is directly connected to the decrease of aflatoxin notifications in dried figs, from 129 to 41, mainly due to European Commission Regulation No 1058/2012 of 12 November 2012 that increased maximum allowed aflatoxin levels in dried figs from 3rd December 2012 further to the industry efforts to decrease global aflatoxin incidence.

On the other hand, nut notifications slightly increased by 4% from 2012, from 241 to 251. The main reasons for notifying nuts were aflatoxins with 210 notifications, followed by health certificates (23 notifications) and moulds (4 notifications). The most notified product was peanuts,

with 134 notifications, followed by pistachios (67 notifications), hazelnuts (17 notifications) and almonds (16 notifications).

INC monitors food safety alerts in Europe, USA, Australia, and Japan, analyzing the trend and monitoring the causes and origins. In the framework of the EU-FP7 project MycoRed (2009-2013), the INC publishes an annual report of alerts, with information classified by product, country of origin, notifying country and reason for notifying.

If you wish to receive the report, please let us know at +34 977 331 416 or inc@nutfruit.org.

2013 RASFF NOTIFICATIONS FOR EDIBLE NUTS ALMONDS (USA), 10, 4% PEANUT BUTTER, 8, 3%

OTHERS, 16, 6%

2009-2013 RASFF NOTIFICATIONS FOR EDIBLE NUTS

PEANUTS, 37,15%

HAZELNUTS (Turkey), 16, 6% PISTACHIOS (Iran), 15, 6%

PEANUTS (China), 66, 26%

PISTACHIOS (Turkey), 41, 16%

555 453

PEANUTS (Brazil), 15, 6%

PEANUTS (India), 16, 7%

2009

2010

383

2011

241

251

2012

2013

PISTACHIOS, 11, 5%

2013 RASFF NOTIFICATIONS FOR DRIED FRUITS

DATES, 1, 1% PRUNES, 2, 2% APRICOTS, 5, 5%

MIXTURES, 1, 1%

2009-2013 RASFF NOTIFICATIONS FOR DRIED FRUITS

RAISINS (Turkey), 8, 9%

RAISINS, 19, 21%

FIGS, 3, 3%

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The Cracker | March 2014

FIGS (Turkey), 53, 58%

179 103

110

2009

2010

121 92

2011

2012

2013

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NeWs FrOM tHe iNC seCretariat

Nuts aNd dried Fruit iN

HAUTE CUISINE

By Raül Balam, Chef at restaurant Moments, Barcelona, Spain

Raül Balam was born in Sant Pol de Mar, a beautiful coastal village in the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain in the bosom of a family dedicated for generations to agriculture and food. Such inheritance evolved towards gastronomy through his parents, from whom Balam got his culinary arts education.

The cuisine that Balam offers at Moments overflows with Mediterranean culture, hence tree nuts are an essential part of many of his recipes, both salty and sweet.

In early 2013, he co-authored the book Antiaging Recipes, Gastronomy and Science, along with his mother Carme Ruscalleda, famous chef and owner of 3-Michelin Star restaurant Sant Pau, and Dr. Manuel Sánchez, Head of the Antiaging Unit at Clínica Planas in Barcelona.

In the book, tree nuts are featured as one of the healthiest, most delicious and interesting group of foods.

I am devoted to a type of cuisine that bets on pleasure and health, and tree nuts have become a source of inspiration.

I am glad to offer you two recipes, inspired in both the Catalan culture and the antiaging properties of tree nuts. The first one is based on the sauce for calçots, a special green onion from Catalunya, for a funny and nutritive appetizer. The second one is a divertimento of turron -fine and original. I hope you enjoy them.

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NeWs FrOM tHe iNC seCretariat

FrOZeN “CaLÇOtada” (aPPetiZer CuP) ingredients for 60 cups.

For the ice cream: 250 g of tender onions 750 g of old onions 250 ml of mineral water 30 g of sugar For the sauce “calçotada”: 500 g of winter tomatoes 1 garlic

10 g of vinegar 50 g of extra virgin olive oil 25 g of toasted hazelnuts 25 g of toasted almonds Salt and pepper For the crocanti of ashes: 1 layer of filo pastry Black powder of baked onion peels Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper

PreParatiON: ice cream: 1) Bake the old onions, clean and with skin, at 190º C until they become very soft and dark (50 minutes approx). Separate the dark peels from the meat. 2) Boil in water and salt the onions, without the first layer of skin. Boil 15 minutes and drain well. 3) Smash 300 g of roasted onion meat with 180 g of roasted tender onion meat, water and sugar, and drain.

If you have a PacoJet, put the purée in an appropriate container, freeze and just before serving you can grind it. If you do not have a PacoJet or similar, prepare the purée 4 hours in advance, put it in a deep container in the freezer, take it out and grind it every 30 minutes. This way you can get a frozen, creamy texture.

“Calçotada“ sauce: 1) Bake at 190º for 25 minutes the tomatoes and the garlic slightly covered with olive oil. 2) Crush the toasted almonds and hazelnuts. Peel the tomatoes and the garlic and grind the meat with the other ingredients, add salt and pepper and store it in the fridge.

Crocanti of ashes: 1) Take the onion skins that you saved and cut it into very small pieces. Put them in the oven at 190º for 15 minutes, so you can get dried, breakable skins, then use a strainer and store in a sealed container. 2) Cut the layer of filo pastry in small strips (1 x 4 cm), paint them with olive oil, salt and pepper, and bake between two silpats at 190º for 10 minutes, until they become dry and crispy. Store in a sealed container seasoned with the powder of baked onion peels.

Presentation: 1) Put a generous spoon of sauce “calçotada” in the cup. 2) Add a quenelle of “calçot” ice cream. 3) Add the filo of ashes and a bit of “fleur de sel” on top.

FiNe turrON OF tree Nuts ingredients: 50 g of pistachios 50 g of pine nuts

50 g of hazelnuts 1 egg white 50 g of sugar A bit of salt

PreParatiON: 1) Cut all the tree nuts at the same size and toast at 160º C for 5 minutes approx. 2) Whip the egg white with the sugar and a bit of salt, then add the tree nuts. 3) Strecth the mixture between two silpats. 4) Bake at 100º until dried. 5) Cut in wedges while hot from the oven and let them rest on curlers so they get the shape. Store in a sealed container.

Presentation: Present the pieces of turron in a nice tray.

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World Industry News

Keeping Up-to-Date with BRC and SQF

by Lori Carlson, DFA Global Certifications, LLC

Over 16,000 food processing facilities are certified to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety across 113 countries with Fresh and Processed Fruits and Vegetables (Categories 5 and 6) and Dried Goods (Category 15) leading the way of BRC certified facilities across continents. The Safe Quality Foods Institute (SQF) has certified 5,600 facilities internationally to the SQF Code with certifications dominating in the United States.

BRC and SQF will each issue new editions to the two most popular Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standards for food processors in 2014 – 2015. SQF will release edition 7.2 of the SQF Code this March with an effective date of July 2014 for all new and continuing certifications.

BRC is expected to issue the 7th edition of the Global Standard for Food Safety in January of 2015 with an implementation date of July that same year.

The most dramatic change to GFSI standards is SQF’s anticipated edition 7.2, which incorporates an unannounced audit protocol requiring facilities certified under edition 7.2 to undergo one unannounced inspection within a three year certification cycle. The unannounced inspection shall be scheduled by the certification body within the sixty day re-certification period. Blackout dates negotiated between the supplier and certification body shall take effect to ensure facilities are operational. Updates to BRC’s 7th edition of the Global Standard for Food Safety are expected to be minimal.

And in further effort to help facilities stay ahead of the food safety curve, both BRC and SQF annually trend the most common non-conformances identified during audits. New and recertifying facilities can cross-check their food safety management systems against identified non-conformances from 2012 – 2013 listed below. Common deficiencies identified in facilities across schemes include: HACCP implementation, facility structure, cleaning and sanitation, maintenance, and foreign material control.

BRC Top Ten Non-Conformances HACCP (section 2) Inaccurate HACCP flow diagrams not representing all process steps to make product.

Building Fabric (section 4.4) Doors not properly sealed or closed causing gaps where pests may enter the facility.

Pest Control (section 4.13) In-depth pest control program surveys by licensed Pest Control Operator are incomplete, too infrequent, or not sufficient in detail.

Your Distributor for Germany Work hand in hand with the nuts & dried fruits import and marketing experts.

PALM NUTS & MORE · Nuss und Trockenfrucht GmbH & Co. KG Lindenstrasse 17 · D-21244 Buchholz · Germany Telefon: +49 4181 9091- 0 · Fax: +49 4181 9091- 80 mail@palm-nutsandmore.de · www.palm-nutsandmore.de

54

The Cracker | March 2014

World Industry News

Housekeeping/ Hygiene (section 4.11) Senior Management Commitment (section 1) Maintenance (section 4.7) Staff Facilities (section 4.8) Internal Audit (section 3.4) Glass, Brittle Plastics, Ceramics (section 4.9.3) Traceability (section 3.9)

Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s) do not contain information required for sanitation staff to clean correctly and the standard for cleaning when equipment is found insufficiently cleaned or not meeting criteria defined by company is not defined and implemented.

Senior management objectives regarding food safety and quality are not defined, monitored, or reviewed at a sufficient frequency.

Sufficient cleaning and documented sign-off are not conducted post-maintenance activities.

Hand-wash facilities do not fully meet the requirements of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety.

Scope, frequency, and/or records of internal audits are not defined or complete.

Glass, brittle plastic, ceramics and similar materials are not identified on register leading to incomplete monitoring of breakable materials that have the potential to contaminate product when damaged.

Traceability systems are incomplete preventing full traceability or records relating to traceability are incomplete.

SQF Top Ten Non-Conformances Equipment and Utensils (11.2.12.1) Walls, Partitions, Doors, and Ceilings (11.2.3.1) Food Safety Plan (2.4.3.1) Cleaning and Sanitation (11.2.13.1) Floors, Drains, and Waste Traps (11.2.2.1) Records (2.2.2.2) Control of Foreign Matter Contamination (11.7.5.3) Dust, Fly, and Vermin Proofing (11.2.7.1) Business Continuity Plan (2.1.6.3) Premises and Equipment Maintenance (11.2.9.2)

Equipment and utensil construction and design pose a contamination risk to product.

Walls, doors, and/or ceilings are not of sufficient construction, durability, or cleanliness.

The food safety (HACCP) plan and control measures are not fully implemented.

Cleaning and sanitation for equipment and facility are not fully documented and implemented.

Floors are not of sufficient construction, effectively graded to prevent pooling water, or easily cleaned.

Record control is not sufficiently implemented or records are illegible.

Temporary repairs are utilized and pose a risk to food safety.

External windows and doors are not effectively sealed to prevent pest ingress.

The business continuity plan (i.e., recall plan) is not tested annually.

Maintenance practices in food handling areas are not documented and/or do not meet hygiene requirements posing a risk to food safety.

DFA Global Certifications, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of DFA of California established for the purpose of providing international accredited certification services to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked standards for food processors. DFA Global Certifications, LLC currently certifies to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety and Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Code.

Contact Lori Carlson (loric@agfoodsafety.org), Director of Certification Services, to learn more about BRC or SQF certification.

1 2

The British Retail Consortium. Food Safety: A Global View. January 2014.

SQFI Conference. November 2013.

Avda. Prat de la Riba 47, 6º • 43201 REUS (Spain) Tel. +34 977 326 202 / +34 977 310 364 • Fax +34 977 326 291 • llop@llop.net • www.llop.net

an_RamonLlop.indd 1

06/05/13 12:02

March 2014 | The Cracker

55

WORLD CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION TRENDS MARCH 2014 | GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

«Statistics are also available at our website www.nutfruit.org»

Map shows 5 top producing countries.

Other major producers listed below.

MAIN PRODUCING COUNTRIES ALMONDS

BRAZIL NUTS

CASHEWS

HAZELNUTS

MACADAMIAS

PECANS

PINE NUTS

PISTACHIOS

USA Spain Syria Italy Iran Australia Chile Morocco Tunisia Greece Turkey

Bolivia Brazil Peru

India Brazil Vietnam Mozambique Nigeria Indonesia Tanzania Côte d’Ivoire Guinea-Bissau Kenya

Turkey Italy USA Spain Azerbaijan Georgia France China Iran Russia

Australia USA South Africa Malawi Brazil Guatemala Costa Rica Kenya Zimbabwe

USA Mexico South Africa Australia

China Russia Afghanistan Pakistan Mongolia Spain Portugal Italy DPRK Turkey

Iran USA Syria Turkey Greece Afghanistan Italy China

WALNUTS

PEANUTS

DATES

DRIED APRICOTS

DRIED FIGS

PRUNES

RAISINS/SULTANAS/CURRANTS

China USA Iran Turkey Ukraine Italy Chile France India Romania Moldova Greece

China India Nigeria USA Indonesia Argentina Vietnam

Egypt Saudi Arabia Iran Iraq Tunisia USA Israel Algeria United Arab Emirates Pakistan Morocco

Turkey Australia Iran USA South Africa China

Turkey Egypt Iran Greece Italy USA Spain

USA Chile France Argentina Serbia Australia South Africa Italy

Turkey USA Iran Greece Chile Uzbekistan South Africa Australia Argentina China

Listed by global production as per FAO but not necessarily meaning quantities going through commercial channels.

March 2014 | The Cracker

57

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Almonds · Almendra · Amande · Mandorle · Mandel · Badem

USA

AUSTRALIA

According to the Almond Board of California December Position Report, five months into the 2013/14 crop year crop receipts through December total 877,936 metric tons (1,935,498,664 pounds) officially making this the second largest crop ever. With more receipts yet to come, the 2013-14 crop could get close to record territory.

According to the Almond Board of Australia, the estimated 2013/2014 crop is about 78,600 MT, up 59% from the previous season. Future production increases will occur as young plantings reach full maturity, bringing productive capacity to approximately 90,000 tons by 2017. Australian domestic almond consumption has grown steadily over the past years from 0.492 kg per person in 2007/08 to 0.853 kg in 2012/13.

Shipments in December continued on this year’s trend with domestic shipments powering forth and export shipments a mixed picture by geographic region. Year-to-date shipments to the U.S. market broke into double-digit growth over last year at 10.6% -a truly outstanding performance. Exports to Western Europe were up 32% over last December and have increased 25% year-to-date.

SPAIN The crop in Spain is definitively short, about 30.000 MT, and especially low for Largueta and Marcona varieties. At least the average size has been quite large and 18/20 size on Valencias and Marconas were still available by end of January. At that moment, stocks were already very low and with nominal record prices.

Estimated World Almonds Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY USA MM lbs USA

2012 /2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

335

1.884

2.219

317

317

1.935

2.252

262

151.955

854.589

1.006.544

144.000

144.000

877.936

1.021.936

119.000

AUSTRALIA

ENDING STOCK

0

49.585

49.585

1.000

1.000

78.600

79.600

1.000

SPAIN

5.000

45.000

50.000

2.000

2.000

32.000

34.000

1.000

CHILE

0

10.000

10.000

0

0

16.000

16.000

0

TURKEY

0

16.000

16.000

0

0

15.000

15.000

0

IRAN

0

25.000

25.000

0

0

15.000

15.000

0

TUNISIA

500

12.500

13.000

1.600

1.600

13.000

14.600

500

MOROCCO

0

9.000

9.000

500

500

6.000

6.500

0

GREECE

0

8.000

8.000

1.000

1.000

5.000

6.000

0

ITALY

0

12.500

12.500

500

500

5.000

5.500

0

OTHERS

0

30.000

30.000

0

0

30.000

30.000

0

157.455

1.072.174

1.229.629

150.600

150.600

1.093.536

1.244.136

121.500

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

1.079.029

1.122.636

Source: Almond Board of California, Almond Board of Australia, Aegean Exporters’ Association and other INC sources.

California Almond Exports. August-December Aug-Dec 2012 (MT)

% Change

105.827 34.661 27.415 10.395 9.933 4.624 5.567 4.003 12.703 7.960 114.610 53.140 22.237 10.312 13.885 6.244 39.822 18.013 15.695 292.100

84.759 25.279 23.384 6.692 7.160 4.578 5.359 3.562 13.091 9.203 135.914 70.664 30.166 9.207 12.217 5.033 28.678 13.112 9.937 280.999

25% 37% 17% 55% 39% 1% 4% 12% -3% -14% -16% -25% -26% 12% 14% 24% 39% 37% 58% 4%

Western Europe Spain Germany Italy Netherlands France UK Belguim Central/E. Europe Russia Asia-Pacific China India South Korea Japan Vietnam Middle East/Africa UAE Turkey TOTAL EXPORTS Source: Almond Board of California.

58

California Almond Exports by Region. Aug-Dec 2013

Aug-Dec 2013 (MT)

The Cracker | March 2014

Asia-Pacific, 42% Western Europe, 39% Middle East/Africa, 14% Central/E. Europe, 5%

Source: ABC.

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Brazil Nuts · Coquito de Brazil · Noix de Vresil · Noce del Brasile · Paranuss · Brezilya Fingigi

The 2014/2015 crop season started and it is assumed that the production will exceed the usual 20,000 MT of kernels that Bolivia exports. An increase of up to 10% is viable, based on international prices during the first quarter.

Estimated World Amazonia (Brazil) Nuts Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons . Conversion rate 1:3.

COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BOLIVIA

750

22.500

23.250

2.500

2.500

17.500

20.000

500

BRAZIL*

0

3.300

3.300

200

200

3.000

3.200

200

PERU

120

3.080

3.200

375

375

3.200

3.575

300

WORLD TOTAL

870

28.880

29.750

3.075

3.075

23.700

26.775

1.000

WORLD CONSUMPTION (SUPPLY - ENDING STOCK)

26.675

25.775

Estimated World Amazonia (Brazil) Nuts Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY BOLIVIA BRAZIL* PERU WORLD TOTAL

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

2.250

67.500

69.750

7.500

7.500

52.500

60.000

1.500

0

20.000

20.000

600

600

17.000

17.600

600

360

9.240

9.600

1.125

1.125

9.600

10.725

900

2.610

96.740

99.350

9.225

9.225

79.100

88.325

WORLD CONSUMPTION (SUPPLY - ENDING STOCK)

90.125

3.000 85.325

* Brazil cracks about 10,000 MT and turns them into kernels. The other 10,000 MT is exported as in shell.“ Source: INC

Bolivian Exports. Brazil Nuts Shelled. Metric Tons

2013 Bolivian Exports. Brazil Nuts Shelled. Metric Tons; %

Destination

2013

2012

% Change

UK USA Germany Netherlands Australia Colombia Italy Lithuania Israel Russian Fed. New Zealand Canada Spain Norway France South Africa Others

5.190 3.611 3.272 2.061 1.069 688 448 304 234 224 160 128 112 112 93 64 419

4.851 5.437 2.731 1.893 1.187 733 535 80 392 464 176 305 378 80 94 160 1.021

7% -34% 20% 9% -10% -6% -16% 280% -40% -52% -9% -58% -70% 40% -1% -60% -59%

18.189

20.517

-11%

TOTAL

Europe 11.868; 65% North America 3.756; 21% Oceania 1.229; 7% South America 762; 4% Middle East & Africa 330; 2% Asia 244; 1% Source: Bolivian National Institute of Statistics.

Source: Bolivian National Institute of Statistics.

March 2014 | The Cracker

59

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Cashews · Anacardo · Noix de Cajou · Anacardio · Cashewkerne · Cashew Cevizi

Beginning 2014, the cashew market has been more or less steady, but trade volumes have been generally low. The 2013/2014 crop forecast in Cote d’Ivoire has been revised upwards to 500,000 MT (raw cashew nut), 125,000 MT in kernel basis, while the estimate for Vietnam has been reduced from 63,000 MT to 60,000 MT. Cashew crops in Tanzania, Indonesia and Benin have been reported to be short: 30,000 MT, 13,000 MT and 8,000 MT respectively.

In 2013, there was a 36% increase in India’s export of cashew kernels compared to 2012. Imports of raw nuts grew by 33% during the same period. Towards end of 2013, the market was showing very stiff resistance to the high raw seed prices in Tanzania, which might affect processing in India during the first quarter of 2014. Shortage of good quality raw seeds was affecting availability of good quality kernel, which is likely to have a negative impact on the export as well as domestic consumption.

In Brazil, the 2013/2014 crop forecast has been revised downwards, from 46,000 MT previously reported to 33,600 MT. The crop has failed for the third year in a row, and exports for the year 2013 were below a million cartons, the lowest figure in twenty tears, despite the import of RCN from West Africa.

Beginning 2014, overall indications were favorable for a normal crop in 2014.

Estimated World Cashews Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons Brazil converted basis: 4,8 kg RCN = 1 kg kernel, all others: 4,2 kg RCN = 1 kg kernel

COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

nil 4.762 nil 7.143 nil nil 238 nil nil nil 0 1.905 nil nil nil nil nil 14.048

160.476 109.523 63.050 42.000 23.000 30.952 19.048 14.500 16.667 11.905 8.333 19.048 7.142 5.476 2.857 1.905 13.810 549.692

160.476 114.285 63.050 49.143 23.000 30.952 19.286 14.500 16.667 11.905 8.333 20.953 7.142 5.476 2.857 1.905 13.810 563.740

nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil

nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil

200.000 125.000 60.000 37.500 33.600 30.000 22.500 16.000 13.000 12.000 6.000 8.000 8.000 4.000 2.800 3.000 10.000 591.400

200.000 125.000 60.000 37.500 33.600 30.000 22.500 16.000 13.000 12.000 6.000 8.000 8.000 4.000 2.800 3.000 10.000 591.400

nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil nil

INDIA COTE D'IVOIRE VIETNAM GUINEA-BISSAU BRAZIL TANZANIA NIGERIA MOZAMBIQUE INDONESIA CAMBODIA BURKINA FASO BENIN SENEGAL GHANA KENYA GAMBIA OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

563.740

591.400

Source: Global Cashew Council and INC.

Indian Data Exports (kernels)

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Quantity (MT)

117.325

115.265

110.949

107.496

95.583

111.093

89.582

121.872

541

547

667

593

589

725

654

865

Value (US$ in Millions)

2012

2013

Imports (Rawnuts)

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Quantity (MT)

576.754

570.518

655.459

662.093

564.785

798.281

685.950

914.552

402

369

643

538

574

1.143

753

881

Value (US$ in Millions) Major Destinations Kernel Exports (%)

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

USA

39,6

36,7

37,5

32,0

31,0

32,0

33,0

32,3

UAE

7,8

10,9

9,3

12,5

13,5

8,9

12,4

12,8

Netherlands

16,3

12,0

13,0

10,0

10,0

8,9

8,3

8,2

Japan

3,6

4,6

4,8

5,0

5,4

6,2

6,6

6,8

UK

4,2

3,5

3,5

4,8

2,4

3,2

2,6

2,5

Source: CEPCI and UN Comtrade.

60

2011

The Cracker | March 2014

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Hazelnuts · Avellana · Noisette · Nocciola · Haselnuss · Findik

TURKEY As indicated in the previous reports, FED 217;s tapering measures have started to take effect on emerging markets currencies, where Turkish Lira has lost 12% value against USD and EUR, which made hazelnuts one of the most affordable nuts in the market in the light of the

stable TL prices around 13,00-13,50 levels. However, serious drought throughout Turkey, including hazelnut growing regions, threatens all farming sectors, which may have a negative impact on the 2014 season crop. To enjoy more affordable USD/EUR price levels and to be covered against a possible short crop due to drought or frost risk, some industry players may choose to make new contracts beyond February.

Estimated World Hazelnuts Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY TURKEY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

25.000

370.000

395.000

35.000

35.000

300.000

335.000

25.000

ITALY

4.700

39.480

44.180

5.640

5.640

56.400

62.040

2.350

AZERBAIJAN

1.288

17.167

18.455

1.717

1.717

15.021

16.738

1.288

USA

800

12.800

13.600

200

200

14.000

14.200

400

GEORGIA

600

11.200

11.800

1.200

1.200

12.000

13.200

800 0

SPAIN

1.000

8.000

9.000

1.000

1.000

9.750

10.750

OTHERS

901

11.261

12.162

0

0

11.261

11.261

0

34.288

469.909

504.197

44.757

44.757

418.433

463.189

29.838

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

459.440

433.352

Estimated World Hazelnuts Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

TURKEY

50.000

740.000

790.000

70.000

70.000

600.000

670.000

50.000

ITALY

10.000

84.000

94.000

12.000

12.000

120.000

132.000

5.000

AZERBAIJAN

3.000

40.000

43.000

4.000

4.000

35.000

39.000

3.000

USA

2.000

32.000

34.000

500

500

35.000

35.500

1.000

GEORGIA

1.500

28.000

29.500

3.000

3.000

30.000

33.000

2.000

SPAIN

2.000

16.000

18.000

2.000

2.000

19.500

21.500

0

OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

2.000

25.000

27.000

0

0

25.000

25.000

0

70.500

965.000

1.035.500

91.500

91.500

864.500

956.000

61.000

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

944.000

895.000

Source: INC

March 2014 | The Cracker

61

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Macadamias · Macadamia · Macadamianuss · Makedemia · Cevizi

AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AFRICA

December 2013, the Australian Macadamia Society announced a final crop of 35,200 MT in-shell for 2013/2014. Damage from the widespread January storms was more severe than anticipated. The September forecast of 36,500 MT was based on early deliveries. These dropped off once the orchard clean-up had been completed. Some 5,000 MT were sold as in-shell leaving 30,200 MT in-shell processed which equated to 8,400 MT of kernel.

In South Africa, the 2013 crop of 37,000 metric tons dry nut in shell was 7% up on the 2012 crop of 34,500 MT. Steady growth has seen production double since 2007, when the total crop amounted to 18,200 MT.

The 2013/14 season had an early flowering (May/June) in many growing regions, a mild winter and a warm, moist summer period.

These factors will deliver early maturity to part of the 2014 crop and consequently an early start to the 2014 harvest season for many growers across the industry.

According to the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association, total plantings currently stand at 18,000 ha and with new orchards coming into production, the current growth trend is expected to continue for at least the next 5 to 7 years. The industry is investing in research and development to ensure that growers have the necessary knowledge and technology to produce high yields of quality macadamias. Processors continue to invest in ensuring that top quality nuts which meet international food safety requirements and other customer specifications are met.

Estimated World Macadamias Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY AUSTRALIA SOUTH AFRICA USA KENYA MALAWI GUATEMALA CHINA BRAZIL OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK 987 173 0 0 63 0 0 0 0 1.223

CROP 10.500 10.187 6.510 4.940 1.847 1.460 1.200 1.152 155 37.951

TOTAL SUPPLY 11.487 10.360 6.510 4.940 1.910 1.460 1.200 1.152 155 39.174

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

2014/2015

ENDING STOCK 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50

BEGINNING STOCK 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50

CROP 12.000 11.200 n/a 5.208 1.944 1.575 1.540 1.320 n/a 34.787

TOTAL SUPPLY 12.000 11.250 n/a 5.208 1.944 1.575 1.540 1.320 n/a 34.837

39.124

ENDING STOCK n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 34.837

Estimated World Macadamias Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY AUSTRALIA SOUTH AFRICA USA KENYA MALAWI GUATEMALA CHINA BRAZIL OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK 0 618 0 0 206 0 0 0 0 824

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

CROP 35.200 37.000 21.000 24.800 6.937 7.800 5.000 4.800 500 143.037

TOTAL SUPPLY 35.200 37.618 21.000 24.800 7.143 7.800 5.000 4.800 500 143.861

2014/2015

ENDING STOCK 0 178 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 178

BEGINNING STOCK 0 178 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 178

CROP 40.000 40.000 n/a 26.040 7.045 8.400 5.500 5.500 n/a 132.485

TOTAL SUPPLY 40.000 40.178 n/a 26.040 7.045 8.400 5.500 5.500 n/a 132.663

143.683

Australia, Kenya, Guatemala and China: NIS at 10% moisture content. South Africa and Brazil: NIS at 1.5% MC. Malawi: NIS at 1.75% MC. Source: Australian Macadamia Society, South Africa Subtropical Growers Association, TNGA of Malawi, Brazilian Macadamia Association and other INC sources.

62

The Cracker | March 2014

ENDING STOCK n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 132.663

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Pecans · Pacana · Noix de Pecan · Noce Pecan · Pecanuss · Pekan Cevizi

Early in December, buyers for pecan kernels started coming out to play in the market. Two pieces of information started the fire. The first piece of information was the cold storage report showing the volume of pecans being consumed in the last four months was nearly the total amount of pecans expected to be produced in the United States 2013 crop year. Secondly, the short crop year was confirmed as farmers started harvesting and found yields to be even smaller than estimated.

The combination of the two generated a short buying frenzy.

Of special note, there was an informal farmer’s survey in December that put the 2013 United States crop at 77,100 to 79,400 metric tons (170 to 175 million pounds). This would be the smallest crop since at least 2002, and maybe longer.

Most of the Eastern pecan crop was either sold to China or went straight to shellers, leaving a comparatively low volume of pecans for cold storage. Since the crop in Central Texas was minimal, this left shellers looking West and into Mexico for in-shell supplies. Unfortunately, rains have delayed the harvests both regions. Farmers were unable to shake and rake pecans when mud and water covered the orchard floors. The delay created a gap between the front and back end of the in-shell market. This only delayed the kernel market, but allowed it to “come to its senses” as the Western in-shell crop will likely determine final kernel prices for 2014.

The 2013 Australian pecan crop suffered lingering effects of the flood event of 2012, with yields still well below the long term average. Quality was also impacted throughout the growing regions resulting in a continuing shortage of high quality halves. The underlying productive base of the Australian pecan crop is creeping up with modest new plantings continuing in NSW and Queensland. Prospects for 2014 are modest with an off-crop expected in most regions.

In South Africa, the crop in 2013/2014 has been revised upwards from 5,500 MT to 6,965 MT. While this is down from the previous season, it is still a 20% increase over the previous 5-year average.

Estimated World Pecans Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

24.192

73.047

97.239

36.219

36.219

42.510

78.729

18.920

1.500

37.036

38.536

2.268

2.268

32.930

35.198

1.760

SOUTH AFRICA

n/a

4.393

4.393

n/a

n/a

3.685

3.685

n/a

AUSTRALIA

214

602

816

26

26

1.301

1.327

204

OTHERS

n/a

690

690

n/a

n/a

626

626

n/a

25.906

115.768

141.674

38.513

38.513

81.052

119.565

20.884

USA MEXICO

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

103.161

98.681

In Shell Basis - Metric Tons

Estimated World Pecans Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

54.982

166.017

220.999

82.316

82.316

96.616

178.932

43.000

3.000

70.072

73.072

4.536

4.536

74.844

79.380

4.000

SOUTH AFRICA

n/a

8.786

8.786

n/a

n/a

6.965

6.965

n/a

AUSTRALIA

420

1.180

1.600

50

50

2.550

2.600

400

OTHERS

n/a

1.500

1.500

n/a

n/a

1.361

1.361

n/a

58.402

247.555

305.957

86.902

86.902

182.336

269.238

47.400

USA MEXICO

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

219.055

221.838

Source: INC.

March 2014 | The Cracker

63

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Pine Nuts · Piñón · Pignon · Pinoli · Pinienkerne · Çam Fistigi

In China, the 2013/2014 pine nut crop is the smallest one around pine nuts 5-year growing circles. In January 2014, there were no mature pine cones in some of the growing areas. Only some cone buds could be seen on the trees, which will develop to mature pine cones in 2014. Likewise, while China has yielded the shortest crop, neighboring countries such as North Korea and the Russian Federation are in a similar position with the same growing belt. The Chinese Tree Nuts Association expects a better crop in 2014.

In Spain and Portugal, crop estimates have been revised downwards to 375 and 275 metric tons respectively. Both the number of pine cones and the rate kernels per pine cone have plummeted in the Mediterranean, supposedly because of an exotic pathogen.

Estimated World Pine Nuts Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

2013/2014

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

FAR EAST (Pinus Chinensis): PAKISTAN

2.000

6.000

8.000

2.000

2.000

4.000

6.000

200

14.000

2.000

16.000

2.500

2.500

2.500

5.000

500

DPR KOREA

3.000

1.500

4.500

500

500

1.500

2.000

n/a

RUSSIA

5.000

1.000

6.000

1.500

1.500

1.000

2.500

n/a

24.000

10.500

34.500

6.500

6.500

9.000

15.500

700

SPAIN

0

325

325

0

0

375

375

n/a

PORTUGAL

0

125

125

0

0

275

275

n/a

TURKEY

0

350

350

0

0

225

225

n/a

ITALY

0

200

200

0

0

175

175

n/a

OTHERS

0

50

50

0

0

80

80

n/a

SUBTOTAL

0

1.050

1.050

0

0

1.130

1.130

0

24.000

11.550

35.550

6.500

6.500

10.130

16.630

CHINA

SUBTOTAL MEDITERRANEAN (Pinus Pinea):

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock) Source: China Tree Nuts Association, Aegean Exporters’ Association and other INC sources.

64

The Cracker | March 2014

29.050

700 15.930

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Pistachios

· Pistacho · Pistache · Pistacchio · Pistazie · Antep Fistigi

USA

IRAN

Although prices were at all-time highs in early January, shipments and overall global demand were in balance with supply. CY’14 crop speculation was becoming a market consideration as growers and processors in California were concerned about the drought conditions and unseasonable winter day time temperatures. While most had expected an on year crop as high as 315,000 metric tons, growers have revised the crop ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 MT.

The Iranian 2013/2014 crop was estimated at 160,000 MT, of which 55,000 MT had been exported by the end of January, and 27,000 MT were destined for domestic consumption.

Estimated World Pistachios Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY USA

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

41.127

251.935

293.062

52.068

52.068

215.455

267.523

34.898

IRAN

5.000

180.000

185.000

5.000

5.000

160.000

165.000

0

TURKEY

9.280

112.000

121.280

37.280

37.280

70.000

107.280

23.280

AFGHANISTAN

0

15.000

15.000

0

0

16.500

16.500

0

SYRIA

0

25.000

25.000

1.000

1.000

15.000

16.000

1.000

CHINA

0

6.500

6.500

0

0

4.000

4.000

0

ITALY

0

2.000

2.000

0

0

3.000

3.000

0

GREECE

0

7.000

7.000

0

0

2.000

2.000

0

AUSTRALIA

0

700

700

0

0

1.650

1.650

0

OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

0

500

500

0

0

500

500

0

55.407

600.635

656.042

95.348

95.348

488.105

583.453

59.178

CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

560.694

524.275

Source: China Tree Nuts Association and other INC sources.

March 2014 | The Cracker

65

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Walnuts · Nuez · Noix · Noce · Walnuss · Ceviz

USA

CHINA

The crop acquisition as reported by handlers through December 31, 2013 totaled 445,023 metric tons (490,554 short tons). USDA shall have issued a final crop number in February, adjusted for farm use.

Market demand for walnuts has remained strong with export shipments through December 31, 2013 reporting inshell volumes up 5.8% from the prior year with gains in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (Vietnam and Thailand). Shelled export volumes were 2% ahead of the prior year with Europe and the Middle East contributing to the increase.

Before reaching the Chinese New Year, the sale for all kinds of nuts was not as fast as before due to a slowing Chinese economy. The control of excessive consumption, tight monetary policy coupled with too high prices kept the demand from growing. Furthermore, the revaluation of RMB against US Dollars and devaluation of RMB in China put the Chinese traders in a tight corner on overseas markets. Consumption during the Spring Festival (January 30, 2014) is likely to determine the market development in future.

Estimated World Walnuts Production. Kernel Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY USA CHINA TURKEY UKRAINE CHILE FRANCE MOLDOVA INDIA ROMANIA HUNGARY ITALY GEORGIA TOTAL

2012/2013

BEGINNING STOCK 21.498 1.000 820 0 410 410 0 0 0 0 0 0 24.138

CROP 193.395 192.000 28.700 20.500 16.400 15.580 14.350 9.430 8.200 6.150 6.300 2.460 513.465

TOTAL SUPPLY 214.893 193.000 29.520 20.500 16.810 15.990 14.350 9.430 8.200 6.150 6.300 2.460 537.603

CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

2013/2014

ENDING STOCK 18.308 10.000 1.640 0 1.230 410 0 0 0 0 0 0 31.588

BEGINNING STOCK 18.308 10.000 1.640 0 1.230 410 0 0 0 0 0 0 31.588

CROP 190.997 184.000 29.520 22.550 19.672 16.390 12.260 10.250 10.250 6.150 5.481 3.280 510.800

TOTAL SUPPLY 209.305 194.000 31.160 22.550 20.902 16.800 12.260 10.250 10.250 6.150 5.481 3.280 542.388

ENDING STOCK 17.847 4.000 2.460 0 410 205 0 0 0 0 0 0 24.922

506.015

517.466

Estimated World Walnuts Production. In Shell Basis. Metric Tons COUNTRY USA CHINA TURKEY UKRAINE CHILE FRANCE MOLDOVA INDIA ROMANIA HUNGARY ITALY GEORGIA TOTAL

2012/2013

BEGINNING STOCK 49.996 2.500 2.000 0 1.000 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 0 56.496

CROP 449.755 480.000 70.000 50.000 40.000 38.000 35.000 23.000 20.000 15.000 15.500 6.000 1.242.255

CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

TOTAL SUPPLY 499.751 482.500 72.000 50.000 41.000 39.000 35.000 23.000 20.000 15.000 15.500 6.000 1.298.751

2013/2014

ENDING STOCK 42.577 25.000 4.000 0 3.000 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 0 75.577 1.223.174

BEGINNING STOCK 42.577 25.000 4.000 0 3.000 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 0 75.577

CROP 445.023 460.000 72.000 55.000 48.000 40.000 31.300 25.000 25.000 15.000 13.500 8.000 1.237.823

TOTAL SUPPLY 487.600 485.000 76.000 55.000 51.000 41.000 31.300 25.000 25.000 15.000 13.500 8.000 1.313.400

ENDING STOCK 41.505 10.000 6.000 0 1.000 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 59.005 1.254.395

Source: California Walnut Board and Commission, China Chamber of Commerce for Imports and Exports of Foodstuffs, ChileNut, Aegean Exporters’ Association, and other INC sources.

66

The Cracker | March 2014

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Peanuts · Cacahuete · Cacahuète · Arachide · Erdnuss · Yer Fistigi

USA According to the US Department of Agriculture, producers had harvested 97 percent of the nation’s peanut crop by November 17, five percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Production was estimated at 1.89 million metric tons (4.17 billion pounds), up 7 percent from the previous forecast but down 38 percent from 2012.

Planted area is estimated at 1.07 million acres while harvested

area is estimated at 1.04 (both down 35 percent from the previous season). The condition of the crop was reported mostly good to excellent during the growing season. Average yield was estimated to decline down to 4,006 pounds per acre, as compared to 4,192 pounds per acre in 2012.

Estimated World Peanuts Production. In Shell Basis. Million Metric Tons 2012/2013

COUNTRY

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

CROP

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

CHINA

0,00

16,50

16,50

0,00

0,00

16,60

16,60

0,00

INDIA

0,00

5,00

5,00

0,57

0,57

5,00

5,00

0,57

USA

0,45

3,06

3,51

1,08

1,08

1,89

2,97

1,04

NIGERIA

0,00

1,55

1,55

n/a

n/a

1,55

1,55

n/a

INDONESIA

0,00

1,15

1,15

n/a

n/a

1,15

1,15

n/a

ARGENTINA

0,00

1,01

1,01

n/a

n/a

1,01

1,01

n/a

VIETNAM

0,00

0,55

0,55

n/a

n/a

0,55

0,55

n/a

BRAZIL

0,00

0,26

0,26

n/a

n/a

0,26

0,26

n/a

SOUTH AFRICA

0,00

0,12

0,12

n/a

n/a

0,12

0,12

n/a

NICARAGUA

0,00

0,12

0,12

n/a

n/a

0,12

0,12

n/a

MEXICO

0,00

0,09

0,09

n/a

n/a

0,09

0,09

n/a

OTHERS

0,00

7,76

7,76

n/a

n/a

7,76

7,76

n/a

WORLD TOTAL

0,45

37,17

37,62

1,65

1,65

36,10

37,18

1,61

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

35,97

35,57

Source: USDA and other INC sources.

US Peanut Supply and Disappearance. 1000 Metric Tons SUPPLY

YEAR BEGIN. AUG. 1

BEGINNING STOCKS 688 455 1.257

2011/12 2012/13 (*) 2013/14 (**)

Production

DISAPPEARANCE

PRODUCTION

IMPORTS

TOTAL

1.660 3.068 1.893

115 54 29

2.463 3.577 3.179

DOMESTIC FOOD 1.272 1.241 1.300

CRUSH 274 298 295

SEED & RESIDUAL 214 230 194

EXPORTS

TOTAL

247 542 352

2.007 2.311 2.141

Total Supply 3.577

2.582

2.848 2.388

1.571

1.666

2006/07

2007/08

ENDING STOCKS 455 1.257 1.040

2.341

2.673 1.675

2008/09

2009/10

2.715 1.886

2010/11

3.068

3.179

2.463 1.893

1.660

2011/12

2012/13 (*)

2013/14 (**)

(*) Estimated. (**) Forecast. Last update: January 20, 2014. Source: USDA.

March 2014 | The Cracker

67

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Dates · Dátil · Datte · Dattero · Dattel · Hurma

World production of dates continues to grow from year to year despite a slight decline in 2013 due to weather conditions, particularly in certain regions. This continuous increase is largely due to new plantations of date palms in different producing countries in recent years. However, despite this increase, consumption outside producing countries rarely exceeds 10% of the production. Domestic

markets play an important role in the marketing of the product, generally through special culinary habits. In non-producing countries date remains a festive product that is mostly consumed during particular periods of the year. It should also be noted that some producing countries like Morocco and the US import large quantities of dates to supplement their needs.

Estimated World Table Dates Production. Metric Tons COUNTRY SAUDI ARABIA

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

90.000

1.180.000

1.270.000

100.000

100.000

1.250.000

1.350.000

115.000

EGYPT

100.000

1.250.000

1.350.000

140.000

140.000

1.190.000

1.330.000

80.000

IRAN

55.000

900.000

955.000

85.000

85.000

1.110.000

1.195.000

85.000

UAE

35.000

785.000

820.000

50.000

50.000

820.000

870.000

50.000

PAKISTAN

10.000

750.000

760.000

8.000

8.000

760.000

768.000

7.000

ALGERIA

7.000

720.000

727.000

12.000

12.000

680.000

692.000

12.000

IRAQ

15.000

560.000

575.000

15.000

15.000

530.000

545.000

10.000

SUDAN

15.000

430.000

445.000

20.000

20.000

380.000

400.000

25.000

OMAN

11.000

270.000

281.000

80.000

80.000

265.000

345.000

10.000

TUNISIA

6.000

185.000

191.000

50.000

50.000

145.000

195.000

4.000

MOROCCO

5.000

120.000

125.000

4.000

4.000

130.000

134.000

5.000

LIBYA

4.000

100.000

104.000

6.000

6.000

65.000

71.000

3.000

ISRAEL

700

21.500

22.200

200

200

21.000

21.200

200

USA

180

21.000

21.180

800

800

18.000

18.800

3.000

OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

24.000

180.000

204.000

25.000

25.000

175.000

200.000

25.000

377.880

7.472.500

7.850.380

596.000

596.000

7.539.000

8.135.000

434.200

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

7.254.380

7.700.800

Source: INC.

Dried Apricots · Orejón · Abricot Sec · Albicocca Secca · Getrocknete Aprikose · Kuru Kayisi TURKEY Turkey’s production of dried apricots in the season 2013/14 has been estimated at 110,345 metric tons, down 38 percent from the previous season. Exports of 2013 crop had reached 62,838 MT (including

whole, diced and industrial apricots) by mid January, up 7 percent from the previous season. The Russian Federation, the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are the top five destinations for Turkish dried apricots in 2013/14 season.

Estimated World Dried Apricots Production. Metric Tons COUNTRY TURKEY

2012/2013

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

20.000

176.718

196.718

30.000

30.000

110.345

140.345

n/a

IRAN

n/a

24.000

24.000

n/a

n/a

22.400

22.400

n/a

CHINA

n/a

6.000

6.000

n/a

n/a

5.700

5.700

n/a

USA

n/a

1.500

1.500

n/a

n/a

1.600

1.600

n/a

SOUTH AFRICA

n/a

1.600

1.600

n/a

n/a

1.500

1.500

n/a

AUSTRALIA

n/a

700

700

n/a

n/a

600

600

n/a

OTHERS

n/a

28.500

28.500

n/a

n/a

28.800

28.800

n/a

20.000

239.018

259.018

30.000

30.000

170.945

200.945

n/a

WORLD TOTAL

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock) Source: Aegean Exporters’ Association and other INC sources.

68

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

The Cracker | March 2014

229.018

200.945

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Dried Figs · Higo Seco · Figue Sec · Fico Secco · Getrocknete Feige · Kuru Incir

TURKEY 2013/14 season production forecast has been declared as 61,909 metric tons. All-type Turkish dried figs exports of 2013 crop reached 44,498 metric tons by mid January (including

whole, diced, industrial figs and fig paste), up 20.5 percent from the same period the previous season. Germany, France, United States, Italy and the Russian Federation are the top 5 markets of Turkish dried figs in 2013/14 season.

Estimated World Dried Figs Production. Metric Tons 2012/2013

COUNTRY

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

TURKEY

3.500

61.500

65.000

IRAN

5.000

55.000

55.000

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

0

0

61.909

61.909

0

4.500

4.500

22.600

22.600

n/a

USA

n/a

9.250

9.250

n/a

n/a

10.000

10.000

n/a

GREECE

n/a

7.600

7.600

n/a

n/a

7.600

7.600

n/a

SPAIN

n/a

6.000

6.000

n/a

n/a

5.800

5.800

n/a

ITALY

n/a

3.900

3.900

n/a

n/a

3.800

3.800

n/a n/a

OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

n/a

2.000

2.000

n/a

n/a

2.000

2.000

8.500

145.250

148.750

4.500

4.500

113.709

113.709

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

144.250

0 113.709

Source: Aegean Exporters’ Association and other INC sources.

Prunes · Ciruela Seca · Pruneau · Prugna Secca · Backpflaume · Kuru Erik · Pruna Seca According to the International Prune Association, world prune orchard looks stabilized. The young orchard decreased by 6,400 ha in five years and now represents 13% of the total area. It is forecast to decrease by 2,000 more hectares in 2018, therefore young tress will reach 10% of total. In 2018, the now-stabilized bearing orchard is expected to come beneath it pre-crisis level, but with younger and more productive trees. Therefore, the sector expects a stabilized production in the next five to seven years.

In Argentina, the 2013/14 season experienced a significant drop due to strong, consecutive frosts during blooming time. Production is estimated at 12,000 metric tons, down from the previous forecast of 20,000 MT.

Estimated World Prunes Production. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

USA

58.975

124.600

183.575

54.749

54.749

68.038

122.787

n/a

CHILE

6.000

75.000

81.000

2.774

2.774

65.000

67.774

n/a

FRANCE ARGENTINA

23.000

41.000

64.000

20.000

20.000

34.000

54.000

n/a

4.600

45.000

49.600

4.000

4.000

12.000

16.000

n/a

SERBIA

0

3.000

3.000

0

0

3.500

3.500

n/a

AUSTRALIA

600

2.700

3.300

500

500

2.920

3.420

n/a

ITALY

180

1.000

1.180

200

200

1.417

1.617

n/a

0

1.100

1.100

0

0

860

860

n/a

93.355

293.400

386.755

82.223

82.223

187.735

269.958

SOUTH AFRICA TOTAL

CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

304.532

n/a 269.958

Source: International Prune Association and other INC sources.

March 2014 | The Cracker

69

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Raisins, Sultanas & Currants · Uva Pasa · Raisin Sec · Uvetta · Rosine · Kuzu Üzüm USA

of 2013 crop Turkish seedless dried grapes had reached 77,535 MT, down 32%, from the same period the previous season. The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and France are the top five destinations for Turkish dried grapes this season.

The 2013 growing season was favorable resulting in an early harvest.

According to the Raisin Administrative Committee, from August 1st to December 31st domestic shipments (including Canada) of Natural (sun-dried) Seedless (NS) Raisins were 80,134 packed tons, up 2% from the same time the previous year. NS export shipments (without Canada) from August-December were 55,469 packed tons, compared to 48,396 tons the previous year, an increase of 15%.

CHINA In China, the 2013 season forecast has been revised downwards, from 145,000 MT previously predicted to 135,000 MT. The carry-over has been greater than expected, totaling 20,000 MT, which results in 155,000 MT of total supply.

TURKEY The Turkish 2013/14 season forecast has been declared as 242,635 MT, down 22% from the previous season. As of January 15th, exports

Estimated World Raisins, Sultanas & Currants Production. Metric Tons COUNTRY USA TURKEY IRAN

2012/2013

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

2013/2014

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION*

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

113.814

268.105

381.919

114.112

114.112

325.680

439.792

100.000

3.500

310.000

313.500

20.179

20.179

242.635

262.814

2.635

30.000

160.000

190.000

0

0

165.000

165.000

0

INDIA

0

172.900

172.900

0

0

160.000

160.000

0

CHINA

0

165.000

165.000

20.000

20.000

135.000

155.000

0

CHILE

500

75.000

75.500

2.000

2.000

71.000

73.000

0

0

37.900

37.900

1.500

1.500

55.614

57.114

6.870

UZBEKISTAN

1.000

35.000

36.000

0

0

25.000

25.000

0

GREECE

SOUTH AFRICA

5.000

26.000

31.000

0

0

21.000

21.000

0

AUSTRALIA

0

10.000

10.000

3.450

3.450

17.000

20.450

0

ARGENTINA

0

27.000

27.000

0

0

15.000

15.000

0

OTHERS WORLD TOTAL

1.000

41.500

42.500

1.000

1.000

43.000

44.000

1.000

154.814

1.328.405

1.483.219

162.241

162.241

1.275.929

1.438.170

110.505

WORLD CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock)

1.320.978

1.327.665

Source: International Seedles Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference and othe INC cources.

Dried Cranberries 曼月莓 - Arándano - Mirtillo Rosso - Keçiyemisi In 2013/2014, production of sweetened dried cranberries in the United States, Canada and Chile has been estimated at 138,000 metric tons, a 13% increase over the previous season. The most significant

increase (23%) is in Canada. United States of America, with 112,000 MT represents 81% of total production. The carry over is estimated at 11,500 MT, giving a total supply of 149,500 MT.

Estimated World Sweetened Dried Cranberries Production. Metric Tons COUNTRY

2012/2013

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

BEGINNING STOCK

PRODUCTION

TOTAL SUPPLY

ENDING STOCK

USA

0

100.000

100.000

10.000

10.000

112.000

122.000

17.000

CANADA

0

15.000

15.000

1.000

1.000

18.500

19.500

3.000

CHILE

0

7.000

7.000

500

500

7.500

8.000

250

TOTAL

0

122.000

122.000

11.500

11.500

138.000

149.500

20.250

CONSUMPTION (T. Supply - End. Stock) Source: INC

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2013/2014

BEGINNING STOCK

The Cracker | March 2014

110.500

129.250

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Special Report:

World Prune Production Source: 14th World Prune Conference, Cranberra, Australia, November 5th, 2013

ARGENTINA 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2.000

4.500

12.400

10.000

4.600

0

25.000

43.000

22.000

29.000

18.200

35.000

Imports

1.000

1.000

4.029

563

1.723

Exports

22.611

35.406

27.043

34.034

23.518

Domestic

1.200

1.200

1.000

1.000

1.000

Beginning Stocks Crop

60.000 Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Exports Domestic

50.000 40.000 30.000 20.000 10.000 0

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

AUSTRALIA Beginning Stocks Crop Imports Domestic Exports

7.000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

900

900

160

2.150

600

710

5.000

3.400

1.550

4.244

1.652

2.700

2.920

4.000

900

1.800

2.170

2.438

2.600

4.300

4.250

4.300

4.080

4.250

71

101

199

78

50

6.000

Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Domestic

3.000 2.000 1.000 0 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

CALIFORNIA Beginning Stocks

250.000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

30.982

47.504

76.980

58.975

51.049

54.854

200.000

75.600

150.000

117.634

150.695

117.489

119.748

124.626

Imports

2.899

1.036

292

176

749

100.000

Exports

50.200

55.965

63.332

57.737

62.380

50.000

Domestic

56.800

64.204

63.891

65.039

56.863

0

Crop

Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Exports Domestic

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

CHILE Beginning Stocks

100.000

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

5.277

12.100

12.000

6.000

8.000

2.774

80.000

50.000

60.000

52.000

50.000

56.000

65.000

75.000

Imports

703

574

1.135

1.158

1.000

40.000

Exports

40.203

46.188

67.312

57.966

77.131

20.000

Domestic

2.000

3.000

3.420

3.000

2.200

0

Crop

Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Exports Domestic

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

March 2014 | The Cracker

71

GLOBAL STATISTICAL REVIEW

Special Report:

World Prune Production Source: 14th World Prune Conference, Cranberra, Australia, November 5th, 2013

FRANCE 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

27.635

20.760

25.046

33.738

23.000

22.500

Crop

30.024

41.632

48.400

28.106

41.053

34.000

Imports

4.553

2.300

2.435

1.500

1.200

Domestic

28.732

30.108

29.409

29.161

29.100

Exports

12.995

11.939

13.952

14.219

17.121

Beginning Stocks

80.000 Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Domestic Exports

60.000 40.000 20.000 0 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

ITALY 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

560

290

240

200

180

180

Crop

1.410

1.293

1.250

1.121

994

1.417

Imports

8.590

8.664

9.540

10.348

9.234

Domestic

9.772

9.473

10.155

10.863

10.309

498

534

675

626

1.113

Beginning Stocks

Exports

14.000 12.000

Imports Crop Beginning Stocks Domestic Exports

10.000 8.000 6.000 4.000 2.000 0 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

SOUTH AFRICA

Stocks Crop Imports Domestic

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

220

60

50

0

0

0

1.350

1.480

1.720

1.230

1.100

860

150

110

90

200

240

270

1.600

1.600

1.860

1.430

1.340

1.130

2.000 1.800 1.600 1.400 1.200 1.000 800 600 400 200 0

Imports Crop Stocks Domestic

2008

Beginning Stocks

2005 53.451

2006 40.735

TOTAL

2007 113.640

2008 67.574

2009 86.114

2009

2010

2010 126.876

2011

2012

2011 111.063

2012 87.429

2013 81.018 199.797

Crop

196.248

322.075

198.107

230.818

289.650

251.103

245.857

263.673

Exports

123.515

165.367

144.532

126.578

150.133

172.873

164.660

181.313

400.000 300.000 Crop Beginning Stocks Exports

200.000 100.000 0 2005

72

2013

The Cracker | March 2014

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

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World Industry News

California Almonds Cultivates its Online Presence, Expands into Social Media For the past several months, Almond Board of California (ABC) has been working closely with various teams across the world to reposition California Almonds on the ever-evolving World Wide Web. It is ABC’s strategy to periodically audit and evaluate ways to re-align our website to current online marketing trends, thereby ensuring maximum exposure of almond-related messages to our target audiences. Analytics showed that user engagement on our website (how many pages they view, for how long they stay on any particular page, and how many exit altogether upon visiting) could be vastly improved. A refreshed website (a redesign) would not only contribute to better analytics – it would also improve our ranking in search engines.

One of the most notable changes with the re-design is the change in our website URL to www.Almonds.com from www.AlmondBoard.com.

The driving force behind this change is to convey to consumers that the Almond Board of California is the leader in almonds. Almonds. com, a keyword and rich domain name, can have a positive impact on search engine ranking. In addition, from this point forward, users including growers and handlers will default to the North American consumer homepage to highlight our domestic marketing activities.

brings consumers back to its respective California Almonds website and provide them with unique and valuable almond-centric information.

However, a more useful website is just the first step. It is important to take notice on the prevalence and penetration of social media.

According to Pew Research Center, 72% of US adults in 2013 used social media site. It is important to leverage any social media platform that

In the United Kingdom, nearly 60% of adults visit social networking sites with Facebook being the most-used social media platform. Of the 5.8 million women aged 35-54, on Facebook, 76% of them are active users. By the end of January 2014, the California Almonds UK

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The Cracker | March 2014

Using the North American website (www.Almonds.com) as an example, in addition to an updated interface and visually-appealing content, there is an undeniable focus on social media. You will immediately notice a heavy presence of California Almonds on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Other recent launches include the image-friendly platforms Instagram and Pinterest.

World Industry News

team will have launched a Facebook Page to reach and converse with interested consumers. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of leveraging social media in France and Germany.

South Korea is another country where Facebook and Twitter usage are the highest and where ABC has a social presence. Unlike North America and Europe where Google is the dominant search engine, Naver – the country’s leading search engine - has its own social service: the Naver blog. Having a presence on this blog would generate even greater interest for California Almonds.

Another country where social media cannot be ignored is China. Armed with its own set of proprietary social media sites, the China team has evaluated that having a presence on Twitter-like Sina Weibo and the mobile instant messaging platform WeChat are the two most important platforms to tout the benefits of consuming California Almonds.

Social Media is a powerful tool engaging people around the globe and educating them about the deliciousness and crave-ability of almonds.

As you can see, Social Media is here to stay and it will continue to be an important part of ABC’s communication strategy and a way for all of us to stay connected.

March 2014 | The Cracker

75

World Industry News

AMERICAN PISTACHIO GROWERS’ NEW AMBASSDORS Denver Broncos And New England Patriots Nutrition Experts Team Up To Support American Pistachio Growers Bryan Snyder and Ted Harper join American Pistachio Growers’ nutrition education program.

In January, American Pistachio Growers announced the addition of two key ambassadors to their list of athletes and nutrition experts: Bryan Snyder, Team Nutrition Manager for the Denver Broncos and Ted Harper, Team Sports Dietitian for the New England Patriots. In their roles, both men are tasked APG Official Snack of Game Day Logo with developing the year-round nutrition strategies that are designed to support the intense physical requirements of their American football players and ultimately, the world championship.

While millions of people struggle with weight and weight-related health issues, nutrition goals can fall by the wayside when leisure time includes snacking or party fare. Pistachios, long known as a heart-healthy tree nut and the lowest calorie nut per serving, now can be counted as an ideal snack for these occasions, thanks to recent research.

The New England Journal of Medicine (11/20/13) published a study that showed people who eat a handful of nuts (including pistachios) daily had a 20% lower death rate over the course of the 30-year research project, the largest study of its kind. In addition, other supporting studies showed people who eat nuts regularly tend to remain leaner due to an association with reduced waist sizes and less weight gain throughout the course of life, compared to individuals who do not regularly eat nuts.

“This is good news for American football fans who want to live to see their team win that “perfect season,” according to Judy Hirigoyen, Director of Global Marketing for American Pistachio Growers. “We’re pleased that, in addition to advising their pro players, Ted Harper and Bryan

Snyder will be helping fans understand how mindful snacking can fit into their own nutrition plan. While their performance goals are quite different, the ultimate goal of living a healthy and happy life is universal,” she continued.

While they’re rivals on the playing field, Harper and Snyder agree on a Bryan Snyder, Team Nutrition Manager point that’s important for the Denver Broncos (left). Ted Harper, to hundreds of pistachio Team Sports Dietitian for the New England Patriots (right). growers: Pistachios are an ideal snack, whether you’re a professional athlete or an armchair spectator.

“Pistachios are one of the best recommendations I can make because they’re packed with nutrients and they’re so versatile,” says Harper.

“We’re all concerned about our heart health and living a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s important you make smart choices regarding your nutrition so you can support your goals,” adds Snyder.

The addition of Harper and Snyder follows APG’s announcement in October that British pro cyclist Mark Cavendish (the most stage wins at the Tour de France) is the newest APG Brand Ambassador and his dietitian, Nigel Mitchell, an expert nutrition ambassador for the growers’ association. Says Hirigoyen, “In their roles, Mitchell, Harper and Snyder will reach millions of healthconscience sports enthusiasts and educate them on the health benefits of pistachios, a favorite snack. It’s a message they’ll be very happy to hear.”

Both teams enjoy pistachios throughout the year for good health.

AMERICAN PISTACHIO GROWERS AMBASSADORS ON THE MOVE Media Event with APG Ambassador Big Mountain Snowboarder Jeremy Jones APG invited journalists from leading active lifestyle media to a press event with APG’s Ambassadors Big Mountain Snowboarder Jeremy Jones and University of Southern California Director of Sports Nutrition Becci Twombley. Media attended represented publication such as Snowboard Magazine, the Atlantic, the Associated Press, ESPN, Mountain Magazine, SKI, Skiing, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Outside Magazine and the Active Interest Media House.

APG Athlete Ambassador Jeremy Jones

76

Susie Floros, Editor in Chief of Snowboard magazine and Jeremy Jones

The Cracker | March 2014

World Industry News

Becci Twombley, spoke about modern sports nutrition – and the importance of pistachios – for winter sport athletes, and Jeremy Jones discussed his recent trip to Nepal and filming the third installment of his film trilogy with Teton Gravity Research. Jones stressed the importance of proper nutrition and his “recovery window” when he returns to base camp and extended periods filming in the most remote locations.

APG Nutrition Ambassador Becci Twombley, Director of Sports Nutrition, University of Southern California

APG Ambassador Cyclist Mark Cavendish Tours California Pistachio Orchard

APG Chairman Jim Zion, Sunset Magazine’s Christine Ryan, APG Athlete Ambassador Mark Cavendish, and Sports Agent Jonathan Beckett

APG Grower Larry Lowder and Mark Cavendish

Mark Cavendish interviewed by the local media

APG invited Sunset Magazine writer Christine Ryan to an exclusive interview with Mark Cavendish during his visit to a California pistachio orchard. One of APG’s newest celebrity spokespersons, bike-racing champion Mark Cavendish, visited the orchard to learn more about the food he both enjoys and endorses. Cavendish is a true believer of whole foods as fuel for athletic gains and everyday life.

This focus on health and nutrition led him to American pistachios, which he believes are a nutritious addition to a well-balanced diet, particularly for those who participate in active lifestyles.

AMERICAN PISTACHIO GROWERS CROP UPDATE The 2013 U.S. pistachio crop came in lower than originally anticipated, with final crop production at 475,555,187 million pounds (216,161 metric tons). However, this total represents the third largest crop in the history of U.S. pistachio production.

The smaller than anticipated crop was primarily due to the individual size of the nuts, which were smaller than in previous years. The hot summer conditions and/or lack of adequate amounts of water, especially during the nut fill period was an issue that growers experienced during the 2013 crop growing season.

There are now over 277,000 pistachio acres planted in the U.S., with 208,000 acres considered bearing (six years or older). As a result of the drought being faced in the western U.S., water availability and cost will continue to be an important consideration for existing orchard management and a concern when planting new orchards.

Overall Shipments Total Shipments for the U.S. pistachio industry 2013 crop year (September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013) has shown nearly a four percent increase over previous year-to-date shipments.

This represents record breaking movement for the U.S. pistachio industry for this time period over all previous years. Shipments

recorded by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (ACP) indicate strong demand from all parts of the world.

Export Shipments Export shipments for the period September 2013 to December 2013 totaled 152,325,478 million pounds, a 12.4% increase over the same time period last year. Export gains have been experienced in both Eastern and Western Europe, and Asia.

China exports (including Hong Kong) during the September 2013 to December 2013 time period continue to outpace shipments last year. China/Hong Kong exports during this time period hit a new record of 90,033,278 million pounds, a 22% increase over last year, according to the ACP. A portion of the export increase in China is due to the earlier timing of Chinese New Year as compared with previous years, causing export shipments to be accelerated.

As a comparison, the amount shipped to China during this four month period (totaling over 90 million pounds) exceeded what was shipped to China for the entire year in 2011, just two years previous. With the continued growth in the Chinese economy, we believe that this positive shipment trend will continue into the foreseeable future.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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World Industry News

PISTACHIOS: MORE RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR THE SKINNY NUT New research on asian indians suggests that pistachios may be good for their hearts and waistlines Substituting pistachios for fattier foods, coupled with a healthy diet and exercise program led to a small but significant decrease in waist circumference for Asian Indians following a six-month regimen, as described in a small, randomized controlled study published in this month’s issue of the journal Nutrition. These new findings build on existing knowledge about the role of nuts in heart health and weight management. This is great news for Asian Indians looking for simple small changes to the diet, supported by a healthy lifestyle, that are realistic and manageable.

The small trial is the first dietary study on pistachios with Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome. It included 60 participants in a six-month trial period, and was conducted by a team of experts from leading nutrition and health institutions in India.

Both the control and intervention groups followed an exercise program and a standard diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole-grain high fiber foods. The diet also called for fat-free or low-fat dairy products and limited red meat and meat products, foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, soft drinks, sugar, salt and alcohol.

Participants reported good levels of compliance based on 24-hour recalls, phone interviews, food-frequency questionnaires, monthly check-ups, and cross-checks with close relatives. The intervention group received 20-percent of their daily calories from pistachios (e.g. for a 1400 daily calorie allowance, 280 calories came from pistachios, which is about 86 kernels). Pistachios replaced visible fat (cooking oil and butter), a portion of carbohydrates, and dairy.

“Our study helps confirm previous findings about the benefits of pistachios, but the new news is how this small change, as part of a healthy lifestyle, can help reduce waist circumference, even without significant weight loss,” said study author Anoop Misra, M.D., director of the department of diabetes and metabolic diseases at Fortis Hospitals, New Delhi.

These new findings are an important addition to the existing knowledge about the role of pistachios in weight management and heart health.

However, longer term trials and replication of results may be needed before it’s possible to conclude cause and effect between pistachios and the favorable results of this study.

Choose the Skinny Nut Known as the skinny nut, pistachios are one of the lowest fat, lowest calorie nuts, and offer the most nuts per one-ounce serving (e.g. 49 pistachios compared to 18 cashews or 14 walnut halves). Preliminary behavioral nutritional studies also suggest that consumption of in-shell pistachios may promote mindful eating, since you have to crack open the shells and it takes longer to eat them. Leaving leftover shells on your desk may also provide a visual cue about the amount you have eaten.

There are so many reasons to love the skinny nut, especially for those looking to swap in nutrient-rich foods to replace less healthful options like empty carbs (e.g. pretzels, chips) and solid fats (e.g. butter). A oneounce serving of pistachios equals approximately 49 nuts, which is more nuts per serving than any other snack nut, and a reduced serving of about

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The Cracker | March 2014

30 pistachios is just about 100 calories. A naturally cholesterol-free food, 90-percent of the fat in pistachios is the healthy unsaturated type. It’s easy to spot the good nutrition provided by pistachios, the colorful nut, which owe their green, yellow, and purple-red colors to the antioxidants and polyphenols found in the kernels and skins. Pistachios are a great-tasting, convenient, and healthy snack with protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

About PistachioHealthInstitute.org PistachioHealthInstitute.org is the leading online source of information on the health and nutrition benefits of pistachios for both consumers and health professionals. It houses a comprehensive research library, with research updates and information from leading experts in the field of health and nutrition, including the Health Nut blog, Ask Our Expert section, and educational materials. The Institute is committed to advancing the understanding of the health benefits of pistachios, and continues to invest and support research at leading institutions around the world. “Like” PistachioHealthInstitute on Facebook and follow @ PistachioHealth on Twitter. For more information about the health benefits of pistachios, please visit www.PistachioHealthInstitute.org.

Reference: Gulati S, Misra A, Pandey RM, Bhatt SP, Saluja A. Effects of pistachio nuts on body composition, metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in Asian Indians with metabolic syndrome: A 24-wk, randomized control trial. Nutrition.

2014;30:192-197.

World Industry News

Promote dried fruit/ nuts in distribution channels to increase consumption:

The "Dried fruit is Wellbeing" Project With the organizational support of SG Marketing Agroalimentare, Nucis Italia continues to support Italian commercial brands by promoting a conference designed to provide focus on the management of the dried fruit and nuts sector in Italian distribution channels. The event provided operators an opportunity to review the latest outlook and potential of the sector with various perspectives provided by industry leaders whose contributions are outlined below: Riccardo Calcagni, Coordinator of the Dried Fruit is Wellbeing Project reviewed how in recent years dried fruit and nuts have changed in the Italian consumer’s mind from a high calorie, stricly seasonal food to a healthy, beneficial one. He explained the metamorphosis was made possible by numerous clinical studies conducted at a global level. Research has provided numerous examples of the nutritional virtues of dried fruit and nuts, while Nucis brought greater attention with activities organized in over 1600 supermarkets and in waiting rooms of 1000 physicians, reaching over 5 millions of Italian families.

The success of the project is partly due, according to Prof. Alessandra Bourdons of the University of Bologna - scientific coordinator of the Nucis program - to the clarity of the message contained in the informative material supplied by Nucis. Consumers are able to receive scientifically reliable, easily understandable information.

Differentiation by various targets, recently introduced in the Nucis material, helps consumers to choose products that are best suited to their nutritional needs.

Claudio Scalise, Senior Manager of SGMARKETING focused on the current market situation for dried fruit and nuts, stressing that there are ample development margins for a product that – although worth in Italy 485 million of Euros – has a penetration of not more than 52%.

Scalise also outlined the combined approach of ShopperMarketing, developed by SGMARKETING for the “Dried Fruit is Wellbeing” project of Nucis Italia. This strategy considers the point of sale a "medium" in which to communicate and interact to better recognize the needs of the most demanding consumers. Nucis Italia also

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The Cracker | March 2014

targets consumer preferences at various moments of purchase inside and outside the point of sale, with the purpose of activating a real path of information and approach to the purchase.

World Industry News

Various producers and some distribution brands that participate in the project (Conad, Coop Centrale Adriataica and Magazzini Gabrielli) also shared experiences and future perspectives of the sector.

Nadia Caraffi of Coop Centrale Adriatica suggested that the strategy used by Nucis to promote dried fruit and nuts could also be used at a profit for fresh fruit, thus creating a healthy impact on people’s lifestyles and eating habits. In 2013, as reported by Martelli of Magazzini Gabrielli, the incidence of dried fruit and nuts in the fruit and vegetable department of Magazzini Gabrielli was about 6.27%, with a predominance of shell fruit, walnuts and almonds, and a reduction of the dehydrated seasonal fruit, further emphasizing that seasonality is increasing in scope of useage.

Gamberini declared that CONAD strongly supports the “Dried Fruit is Wellbeing” project and that it contributed to "legitimizing" dried fruit in the consumers’ opinion, thanks to scientific information contained in materials distributed. The question of seasonality is yet to be overcome to improve market penetration. For this reason, in the spring, a normally unusual period for the consumption of the product, Nucis Italia for the first time will organize displays in dried fruit sections of stores. New materials will be identified for the promotions to increase consumption of dried fruit and nuts as a regenerating and invigorating food for use, even outdoors!

A physician with expertise in nutrition will be available on a weekend to consumers at targeted points of sale as an experiment.

Information and suggestions about eating healthily and will propose a daily and balanced consumption of dried fruit and nuts, as well as recommend the right type of fruit for each person based on their profile. The Marca Seminar confirmed - by direct testimony of those involved – that project "Dried Fruit is Wellbeing" of Nucis Italia represents a case history of an effective marketing strategy that could prove successful for other products and that organising educational activities at points of sale is more profitable and appreciated by consumers.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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World Industry News

Nucis Germany Plans a Busy 2014 for health Professionals 2014 will be packed with events and activities for Nucis Germany. At the annual Managing Board and Members' Meeting of Nucis Germany last November in Hamburg, the activities for 2014 were determined. Two new Nucis members joined the meeting. Ms. Wiebke Puschmann (Eurofins Analytik GmbH) and Mr. Henry Kulnick (Lorenz Nuss GmbH) were welcomed as new members. The Nucis Board elected the following board members: Mr. Helmut Dankert (Max Kiene GmbH, Mr. Guido Wolf (Felix GmbH & Co KG), Henry Kulnick (Lorenz Nuss GmbH), Mr. Thomas Apfel (Max Kiene GmbH) Nucis continues to spread good news about nuts with announcements and use other important nutritional websites, press articles and TV placements. The congress “Nutrition 2014” is set for 26 to 28. June, Ms. Stephanie Wetzel 2014; Ludwigsburg will Prof. Dr. Hauner be the highlight in this year’s exhibitions. That meeting is the major congress for nutritionists in Germany and provides opportunities to meet with nutritionists. This will provide a venue to directly inform them about the health benefits of nuts and learn about their needs and questions. Nucis will have an information booth with accomplished nutrition scientists and will organize a lunch symposium at a prominent location. The keynote speaker will be Prof. Dr. Hans Hauner supported by Ms. Stephanie Wetzel (a nutrition scientist).

It is important to maintain and broaden existing networks to keep the positive health effects of nuts in front of various influencers in the media and health professionals who have contact with consumers. We expect to publish the proceedings.

Again, a surprise celebrity will highlight Nucis “5 a day” membership who will be revealed later in 2014. Follow Nucis Germany on Facebook https://de-de.facebook.com/nucisev

The Cracker | March 2014 82Eurofins_Anzeige_TheCracker_Trampe_version2.1 Dienstag, 20. April 2010 16:16:32

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U.S. Consumers Prefer Tradition but Explore Global Flavors In 2014 As the U.S. steps out of recession and into recovery, Americans are turning to stronger global flavors to satisfy their food palette needs. So what does this mean for the nut industry and what can we expect for the year 2014? According to Suzy Badaracco, President of Culinary Tides and food trends expert, nuts won’t be venturing out of their traditional food pairings this year.

“In general, there’s usually never a bad time for nuts. You have to know which trends are coming up though to know which nuts go with each trend,” says Badaracco. “[This year] consumers are not yet ready for full blown fusion or molecular gastronomy. They are getting more experimental with global cuisines but they want it authentic.”

To remain authentic to any cuisine, Badaracco recommends taking a look at how the nut is used within the dish. It is important to recognize the type of nut that is traditionally affiliated with the dish’s culture; remembering that the U.S. palette expects certain nut flavors in certain cuisines. For instance, the Middle Eastern cuisine might lean more toward pistachios while Mediterranean menus may be almond specific.

“And in America’s deep south, we have pecans! That’s the strongest nut for those regions,” says Badaracco. “Nuts in America are very high profile. They are literally sometimes ‘studded’ in the dishes and customers expect to see it.”

Andrew Hunter, research and development chef, author, and the R&D mentor on Lifetime’s competition series, Supermarket Superstar, agrees with Badaracco but warns that authentic taste does not always appeal to American taste buds.

“I struggle with authenticity versus integrity. Authentic flavors are typically not in the American’s understanding of flavor. They are either too spicy, or too sour, or so on,” said Hunter. “Things that make a lot of sense in another country do not make sense in the states.”

The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) is working to win over the traditional palettes of the U.S. consumer by exhibiting at the Research Chefs Association’s Culinology® Expo and the American Culinary Federation’s National Conference in an effort to spread the word on how pecans can be incorporated into many traditional and non-traditional dishes. This chef outreach will be supported through NPSA’s strategic marketing initiatives which include a robust social media outreach program dubbed I Love Pecans. Followers of I Love Pecans can peruse hundreds of pecan recipes, nutritional facts, and flavor combinations posted daily on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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“I think there is a way to approach [these strong global] flavors that capture the authenticity of the dish while still creating something Americans will buy,” says Hunter. “Pecans are especially good at integrating flavors and delivering something really delicious.”

Facebook - I Love Pecans Twitter - @ilovepecans Pinterest - I Love Pecans

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PECAN SHELLERS ASSOCATION

The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA), a non-profit trade association, is committed to educating culinary and health professionals, food technologists and the general public about the nutritional benefits, variety of uses and all around great taste of pecans. For more information on the health benefits of pecans and where to find them, visit www.ilovepecans.org.

The American Nut

PECANS

Pecans are perfect for your baking, confection, ice cream and snack food lines. Young Pecan takes pride in providing the tightest specifications for shell and foreign material control. Food safety is paramount and Young Pecan offers our customers a level of confidence unsurpassed in our industry including: • Third-party process authority validations • HACCP certification • AIB, GMA-SAFE and SQF audits Count on a consistent, food safe product that will elevate your creations from delicious to delightfully delectable!

800.469.6607 • 843.662.8591

www.YoungPecan.com

World Industry News

International Marketing Update CALIFORNIA WALNUTS’ EYE ON INDIA India Market Access Granted In July, the Ministry of Agriculture in India published notification of Schedule VI of Plant Quarantine Order 2003 allowing California walnuts to be shipped to India. Walnuts are able to enter the Indian market with special conditions under the phytosanitary protocol defined in Order 2003. The two year market access process was achieved through the combined efforts of the California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC). The Board evaluated the phytosanitary protocol and supported post-harvest research that contributed to the review process while the Commission petitioned the Indian Ministry in working with colleagues at USDA's Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) to facilitate the process.

India is expected to play an important role in developing the industry's future consumers. India's increasingly affluent middle class, unlike other developing nations, spends over 30% of their income on food and beverages. Walnuts are an ideal complement to the traditional vegetarian based diet because they contain alpha-linolenic acid/omega-3 fatty acid which is currently deficient in the Indian diet. It is anticipated that California walnuts will be in high demand. Indian consumers have yet to experience the quality and taste distinctions that make California walnuts unique.

Educating Nutritionists and Future Consumers in Korea The California Walnut Commission partnered with the Korean magazine Monthly Nutriand to target their audience of nutritionists and chefs for school lunch programs. The magazine has featured California Walnuts multiple times during the year highlighting California Walnut recipes and nutrition information. The content focuses on the CWC core messaging of health benefits and California origin. As a result of the partnership these featured articles have allowed the CWC to communicate with dieticians at schools and introduce them to California walnuts. This communication has resulted in California walnuts being used in more schools and more young people being exposed to food containing California walnuts, showing their versatility to the next generation of consumers.

Flavor Pairing Workshop in Germany In January, the California Walnut Commission conducted a unique event with Chef Heiko Antoniewicz to highlight various flavor pairings with California walnuts. In attendance were professional chefs from restaurants and cafes in Germany.

Heiko Antoniewicz began by explaining the theory of flavor pairing and shared background information to aid in the audience’s understanding. When he asked the group to follow him to the kitchen, they all jumped right up, threw on their aprons and jackets, and were ready to cook. While the chefs were practicing, Heiko explained the different techniques and went through his list of different walnut dishes. Some of the recipes that were demonstrated included “White walnut cream with glazed clementines”, “Walnut ravioli with turkey and mozzarella”, “Walnut trout with bacon and celery”, “Roasted duck with solidified walnut milk and bacon”, “Green Tomatoes with walnut vinaigrette”, and “Walnut chocolate cake.” It was an ambitious program, but despite the high level some of his recipes (the walnut bread and the spreads) were fairly easy to master and are quite suitable for hobby cooks.

Attendees indicated the workshop widened their knowledge about California walnuts and was inspiring. Two thirds indicated they will be offering more walnut dishes to their guests in the future.

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World Industry News

Domestic Marketing Update New U.S. Website In January, California Walnuts launched a new website in the United State that serves consumers, health professionals, foodservice professionals and industry members. The site features responsive design that automatically scales the site to the screen of a computer, tablet or phone. The site will connect people to California walnuts on a variety of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Google+. Users can find a wealth of information about California walnuts including history, recipes, nutrition information, health research, resources, upcoming meetings/ events and more.

Russian Recipes for the Winter Games In the spirit of the Winter Games, California walnuts worked with Chef Boris Portnoy to share a few of his walnut-filled favorites that bring us a taste of Eastern Europe. Pomegranate, fenugreek (a sweet and slightly bitter spice), and plenty of mint infuse these recipes which include: Spinach and Walnut Dip (Green Pxali), a Red Kidney Bean Stew (Lobio) and Chicken and Walnut Soup (Kharcho). Walnuts are a key ingredient in each dish and show their versatility from an herbaceous spinach appetizer, to a hearty stew. Recipes can be found on walnuts.org.

Screen Shot of New Website

New Health Research on Walnuts and Cardiovascular Disease Risk A new study published in Metabolism in November indicates a diet with walnuts may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by lowering non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) – two predictors of cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers at University of Munich Medical Center, Germany investigated the effects of daily walnut consumption (43 grams/1.5 ounce) on blood lipid levels that predict cardiovascular disease risk, and found non-HDL cholesterol and ApoB levels were significantly reduced on the walnut enriched diet by over 6% and 5% respectively.

Study participants (healthy men and women) consumed walnuts as part of their normal diet, for an eight-week period. While eating walnuts, study participants reduced intake of saturated fat and increased consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, resulting in beneficial changes in their lipid profile.

Walnuts are comprised predominately of polyunsaturated fat and are one of the few foods that offer an excellent source of the plantbased omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid – 2.5 grams/ounce.

Kharcho (Chicken and Walnut Soup)

Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. “These diseases usually develop as a result of a number of different risk factors among which lipid factors such as nonHDL cholesterol and ApoB are the most important. Our study has shown that people can benefit from supplementing their diet with walnuts, which helps reduce these risk parameters,” says lead investigator Dr. Klaus Parhofer. Although media clippings are just starting to come in, there have been over 30 million impressions in our active markets.

Past research in countries throughout the world, including the U.S., Spain, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, have reported walnuts to decrease LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure, two other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition, walnuts have been shown to improve endothelial function, decrease both oxidative stress and markers of inflammation, and increase cholesterol efflux.

March 2014 | The Cracker

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Scalzo Food Industries....................79

Crisol de Frutos Secos, SAT.............51

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Walnuts

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To all INC Members, advertisers and subscribers: The next publications schedule for The Cracker will be...

JULY 2014 • November 2014

Incus Technology S.L......................81 Joan Escoda S.A...............................13

Caiba IND. E COM. S/A....................15

Spanish Almond Board......................... 74

ChilE

Switzerland

Valbifrut S.A....................................75

Swiss Gourmet AG....................................8

Exportadora Anakena LTDA...........16 Brazilian Nuts

INC.....................................................5

ChINA

turkey Hazelnut Promotion Group..............2

Sino Jet International ......................1

FRANCE

UK Bühler Sortex Ltd............................83

Eurobroker......................................17

Kenkko Commodities PLC..............25

Somercom.......................................12

Toximet LTD....................................96

Germany

USA

Eurofins..........................................82

Cablevey Conveyors........................89

Palm Nuts & More KG....................54

Campos Brothers Farms.................11 Chico Nut Company........................22

ITALY Connect S.R.L..................................78 V. Besana S.P.A.................................73

Crain Walnut Shelling, INC............19 Fisher Nut Company.......................20 Grower Direct..................................33

JAPAN

Hilltop Ranch, INC..........................44

Tanto Corporation..........................28

Hughson Nut, INC...........................14

mexico

Key Technology...............................88

Grupo Premier de Occidente SA.....80

Primex INTL........... Back Outside Cover Satake USA, INC....Front Inside Cover

MOROCCO Santis S.A.R.L. ................................32

Setton INTL Foods...... Inside Back Cover The Green Valley Pecan CO........99 & 98

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Borges S.A........................................56

Young Pecan Company...................85

Borrell.............................................30

Detailed information will be sent and posted to our website: www.nutfruit.org March 2014 | The Cracker

89

INC wORLD FORUM FOR NUTRITION ReSeARCh AND DISSeMINATION

Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó

The PReDIMeD-PLUS STUDy: A New ChALLeNge IN ReSeARCh

By Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó and Nerea Becerra. Human Nutrition Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain

After the important results obtained in the PREDIMED trial, which have demonstrated that a long-term adherence to an energy unrestricted Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or mixed nuts reduced incidence cardiovascular disease (CVD), by about 30% compared to a low fat control diet, in older subjects at high cardiovascular risk1, the PREDIMED study investigators think that it would be important to further investigate if this type of dietary pattern could be also useful in the primary prevention of CVD in the context of weight loss.

The escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity is already affecting more than 50% of adult population and represents a global public health crisis. In fact, the prevalence of obesity has duplicated between 1980 and 20082.

People with overweight and obesity are treated in order to lose weight. This is associated to a better metabolic profile; a decrease in the number of medications; less risk of diabetes or other complications, and a better quality of life. However it is very important to investigate if body weight loss and maintenance reduces the risk of chronic diseases and mortality.

Expert panels set up by the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization advice that overweight and obese adults with comorbid conditions should lose 10% of their initial weight, with lifestyle intervention as primary treatment: an energy-restricted diet, physical activity and behavioral therapy.

weight, weight gain relapses usually occur after 6-12 months.

In addition, with low-fat diets, long-term vegetable intake is reduced in parallel with the associated restriction in the use of plant-derived oils usually recommended for achieving the low-fat content of the diet Alternate classical approaches for weight loss are those restricting carbohydrates. Low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diets (referred to as low-carbohydrate diets) have been compared with low-fat, energy-restricted diets. A metaanalysis of five trials with 447 participants suggested that a low-carbohydrate diet is a feasible alternative to a low-fat diet for achieving weight loss, and may have also favorable metabolic effects after a 6-month follow-up. However, the weight loss capacity of low-carbohydrate diets, as well as the improvements they induce in blood pressure, glucose metabolism and the lipid profile were lost after 12-months.

Only one randomized controlled trial has compared weight loss and metabolic outcomes after a 2-year follow-up, with a low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet, and no betweengroup differences in weight, body composition or bone mineral density were found.

The relative success of a dietary pattern to induce loss of body weight has been more frequently ascribed to participant’s compliance with the prescribed energy-restricted diet than to the relative proportions of macronutrients. On the other hand, extreme weight reduction diets differing from the usual diet in the proportion of macronutrient contents are difficult to follow in the long term, and their safety has not been well documented

Recently, scientific societies and institutional reviews have recommended low-fat-diets as the most suitable approach to promote both health and weight loss. However long-term The only randomized trial that has addressed the long-term adherence to low-fat diets is limited and, for those who lost effect of an intensive weight-loss lifestyle program in obese

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INC wORLD FORUM FOR NUTRITION ReSeARCh AND DISSeMINATION

adults on CVD and mortality was the Look AHEAD trial3, including only diabetic subjects and using a low-fat diet (<30% of total energy intake with <10% from saturated fat) and increased physical activity. The trial was stopped prematurely due to futility, namely the lack of association between the loss of weight in the intervention group (5% of initial body weight on average), and cardiovascular events4.

A new approach in the dietary control of overweight and obesity for CVD prevention should include well known, healthy, and palatable dietary patterns.

One dietary paradigm that may be beneficial when implemented within an intensive weight-loss intervention is a traditional MedDiet, relatively rich in fat from vegetable sources (EVOO and nuts) and including an abundance of minimally processed plant-foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes), moderate fish consumption, low consumption of meat and meat products, and wine in moderation, usually consumed with meals.

No clinical trial has assessed the impact of weight loss with an energy-restricted MedDiet on CVD risk5. The PREDIMED trial did not include energy restriction or increased physical activity and did not aim at weight loss. By implementing such lifestyle changes within the context of a MedDiet among overweight or obese subjects with metabolic syndrome, we seek to provide a new, affordable and sustainable approach to reduce excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality beyond the results of the PREDIMED trial, such is the rationale of the PREDIMED-PLUS study.

and maintenance of weight loss, quality of life, incidence of other chronic diseases and reversion of metabolic syndrome.

The final goal regarding adiposity is to obtain a betweengroup average absolute difference in weight loss and waist circumference reduction >5%.

Twenty recruiting centers located in university hospitals and specialized primary care facilities throughout Spain will recruit 6,000 participants (3,000 at control group and 3,000 at intervention group) without prior CVD, aged between 55 and 75 years, with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Participants in the active treatment group will attend individual and group sessions with a frequency of 3 per month during the first year, 2 per month in the second year, and 1 group monthly session and individual sessions every 3 months from the third year on. The intervention will be based on detailed dietary recommendations for an energyrestricted MedDiet, together with promotion of physical activity and psychological help to achieve planned goals.

Participants in the usual care (control) group will attend group sessions with recommendations to follow the MedDiet (similar to those imparted in the PREDIMED trial) every six months for the duration of the study. To promote compliance with the MedDiet, participants in the 2 groups will be provided at no cost with EVOO (1 liter per month) and mixed nuts (500 g per month: 125 g walnuts, 125 g almonds, 125 g hazelnuts and 125 g pistachios).

Recruitment will take place from fall 2013 to the end of 2015.

At this moment, the pilot study has started in two centers (Reus and Pamplona) and it is expected to start in another 18 centers by February 2014.

The PREDIMED-PLUS study is a randomized clinical trial for the primary prevention of CVD with an energy-restricted MedDiet and intensive lifestyle intervention directed to lose PREDIMED has changed dietary recommendations to prevent weight in older subjects with overweight or obesity and CVD, and we hope this new clinical trial will demonstrate that metabolic syndrome. a MedDiet in the context of weight loss is an effective tool in cardiovascular primary prevention.

The primary aim of this trial is to evaluate the effects of 6-years intervention with an energy-restricted MedDiet combined We thank the food industries who have believed in the importance with a comprehensive lifestyle modification program or of the PREDIMED-PLUS study, and will make it possible. usual care for weight loss on incident of CVD, weight loss

ReFeReNCeS 1. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvad贸 J, et al. PREDIMED Study Investigators. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013 Apr 4;368(14):1279-90.

2. Finucane MM, Stevens GA, Cowan MJ, et al. National, regional, and global trends in body-mass index since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 960 country-years and 9.1 million participants. Lancet 2011;377:557-67.

3. Ryan DH, Espeland MA, Foster GD, et al. Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes): design and methods for a clinical trial of weight loss for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. Control Clin Trials 2003;24:610-28.

4. Look AHEAD Research Group, et al. Cardiovascular effects of intensive lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2013 Jul 11;369(2):145-54.

5. Malik VS. Hu FB. Popular weight-loss diets: from evidence to practice. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med 2007;4:34-41.

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NEWS FROM THE NUTRITION RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION

By Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D. INC NREF

By Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D. Executive Director INC NREF Executive Director

News articles gathered from various sources.

When it comes to the good news about nuts and health, 2013 went out with a bang and the positive media coverage for nuts continues in 2014. Three separate INC NREF-funded studies were published between November 2013 and January 2014. The first study looked at the effect of tree nuts on pancreatic cancer (see Sidebar 1) in women. The study was conducted by researchers at Harvard and the results showed that women who consumed a one-ounce serving of nuts, two or more times per week, had a significantly reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. The paper was published in the British Journal of Cancer and follow-up media efforts resulted in media coverage both nationally and internationally in Australia, Canada, India, New Delhi, New Zealand, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Online placements totaled over 3 million impressions and print placements to date are over 1.5 million in circulation.

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NEWS FROM THE NUTRITION RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Tree Nuts and Pancreatic Cancer

and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Tree Nut Consumption Associated with Reduced Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Women: First Prospective Study to Date on Nut Consumption and Pancreatic Cancer in the British Journal of Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause for cancerrelated mortality in the U.S., yet very few modifiable risk factors have been identified. According to the 2009 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) report, aside from cigarette smoking, body fatness was the only convincing modifiable risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Davis, CA, November 6, 2013 – In a large prospective study published online in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers looked at the association between nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer among 75,680 women in the Nurses’ Health Study, with no previous history of cancer. Consumption of nuts, including tree nuts (such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), was inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Women who consumed a one-ounce serving of nuts two or more times per week had a significantly reduced risk of pancreatic cancer (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.92; P=0.007) compared to those who largely abstained from nuts. “This reduction in risk was independent of established or suspected risk factors for pancreatic cancer including age, height, obesity, physical activity, smoking, diabetes and dietary factors,” stated lead author, Ying Bao, MD, ScD, from the Department of Medicine, Brigham

While there may be concern that frequent nut consumption may result in weight gain and thereby increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the opposite seems to be true. “In our cohort women who consumed the most nuts tended to weigh less,” reported Dr. Bao. Moreover, in a recent analysis of this same cohort, higher nut consumption was associated with a slightly lower risk of weight gain and obesity.

Nut intake has also been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes mellitus, which is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. “Nuts contain a variety of important vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals,” states Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D., Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF).

“This exciting, new study provides yet another reason to encourage people to eat a handful—or 1/3 cup—of tree nuts every day.”

Just two weeks later another study by the same Harvard researchers was published in The New England Journal of Medicine and looked at tree nuts and all-cause mortality (see Sidebar 2). Compared with those who did not eat nuts, individuals who consumed one ounce of nuts, seven or more times per week, had a 20% lower death rate and this association was dose-dependent.

INC NREF media efforts garnered media placements in numerous countries including: Africa, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iran, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, UK and US. Online media impressions were over 15 million, broadcast impressions were over 25 million, and print placements to date are over 33 million in circulation. The publicity value for the broadcast placements alone was over one million dollars.

Nuts and All-Cause Mortality Tree Nut Consumption Associated with Reduced Total and CauseSpecific Mortality: Largest Study to Date on Nut Consumption and Mortality in New England Journal of Medicine Davis, CA, November 20, 2013 – In a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers looked at the association of nut consumption with total and cause-specific mortality among 76,464 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 42,498 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Consumption of nuts, including tree nuts (such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), was inversely associated with total mortality in both men and women, independent of other predictors for death. In addition, there were significant inverse associations for deaths due to cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease.

“Compared with those who did not eat nuts, individuals who consumed nuts (serving size of one ounce) seven or more times per week had a 20% lower death rate and this association was dose-dependent,” stated lead author, Ying Bao, MD, ScD, from the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. “Those who consumed more

nuts were also leaner, and tended to have a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking less and exercising more,” added Dr. Bao. This is the largest study to date to examine the relation between nut consumption and total mortality, and the results are consistent with previous studies, according to senior author, Charles Fuchs, MD, MPH, from the Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. “The findings from our study and others suggest a potential benefit of nut consumption for promoting health and longevity,” reported Dr. Fuchs.

Nuts contain important nutrients such as unsaturated fats, high quality protein, vitamins (i.e., vitamin E, folate and niacin) minerals (i.e., magnesium, calcium and potassium) and phytochemicals— all of which may offer cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.

“With current nut consumption well below the recommended 1.5 ounces of nuts per day (in the FDA qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease) we need to continue to encourage people to have a handful of nuts every day,” recommends Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D., Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF).

Story Continues on Page 94 March 2014 | The Cracker

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NEWS FROM THE NUTRITION RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION A third study, published in January 2014, looked at nut consumption in the Adventist-2 study (see Sidebar 3). Researchers found that one serving (28g or 1 ounce) of tree nuts per week was significantly associated with 7% less metabolic syndrome. In addition, high tree nut consumers had significantly lower prevalence of obesity compared to the low tree nut consumers. Media coverage to date has resulted in nearly 2 million in circulation.

Nuts and the Adventist-2 Study Tree Nuts are Associated with Lower Risks of Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in the Adventist Health Study-2: New Findings on Tree Nuts, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in PlosOne DAVIS, CA, January 8, 2014 – A new study, published today in the online journal PLOS ONE, looks at the association between tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in a population with a wide range of nut intake ranging from never to daily.

Researchers at Loma Linda University studied 803 Seventh-day Adventist adults using a validated food frequency questionnaire and assessed both tree nut and peanut intake together and separately.

Mean tree nut intake was 16 grams/day among the high tree nut consumers and 5 grams/day among low tree nut consumers. “Our results showed that one serving (28g or 1 ounce) of tree nuts per week was significantly associated with 7% less MetS,” stated lead researcher Karen Jaceldo-Siegl, DrPH, “Doubling this consumption could potentially reduce MetS risk by 14%.” She added, “Interestingly, while overall nut consumption was associated with lower prevalence of MetS, tree nuts specifically appear to provide beneficial effects on MetS, independent of demographic, lifestyle and other dietary factors.”

MetS is a cluster of risk factors shown to be associated with death, a twofold increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and a fivefold increased risk for type 2 diabetes. While the diagnostic criteria can vary, presence of any three of the five following conditions results in a diagnosis of MetS: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol), high blood pressure, and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). Based on NHANES data from 2003-2006, an estimated 34.3% of the U.S. population has MetS. In addition to the effect of nuts on MetS, the researchers also looked at the effect on obesity. “We found that high tree nut consumers had significantly lower prevalence of obesity compared to the low tree nut consumers,” stated Dr. Jaceldo-Siegl. “And, high consumers of tree nuts had the lowest prevalence of obesity when compared to the low peanut/tree nut groups.”

This latest study comes on the heels of the nuts and all-cause mortality study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last month. “All of this new research supports the growing body of evidence showing that consuming nuts can improve your health,” states Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D., Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF). “In 2003, FDA (in its qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease) recommended that people eat 1.5 ounces of nuts per day—well above current consumption levels—so we need to encourage people to get their handful of nuts every day.”

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Finally, INC NREF worked with the Life Sciences Research Organization, Inc. (LSRO), in conjunction with an expert panel, to conduct an evidence-based analysis of the relationship between the consumption of tree nuts and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Ninety-six studies formed the basis of the analysis.

Weighing all the evidence, the expert panel arrived at the following conclusions: • Combining the results of the observational study analyses with the interventional study analyses, there is strong evidence that consumption of tree nuts has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health and a real and practical effect in reducing the risk of CVD. • This beneficial health effect is consistent with published metaanalyses studying the effect of nuts.

• This beneficial health effect is consistent with the results of several analyses of the PREDIMED cohort.

• The beneficial effects of nut consumption on blood total cholesterol may be mediated in part by the replacement of saturated fat with nuts, but replacement of saturated fat does not account for all the beneficial effects.

• The consumption of nuts under the experimental conditions of the analyses reviewed in this report did not increase the risk of obesity.

LSRO is now working on a meta-analysis of the research which should increase the significance of the findings. The latter will be submitted for publication in the next few months.

In addition to publicizing new research, INC NREF has been busy submitting both oral and written comments to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines).

The hope is to see nuts positioned more positively in the new guidelines.

For more information on any INC NREF project please contact Maureen Ternus at maureen.ternus@gmail.com.

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Consumption of tree nuts inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer in women First Prospective Study To Date On Nut Consumption And Pancreatic Cancer In The British Journal Of Cancer In a large prospective study published online in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers looked at the association between nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer among 75,680 women in the Nurses' Health Study, with no previous history of cancer. Consumption of nuts, including tree nuts (such as almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts), was inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Women who consumed a one-ounce serving of nuts two or more times per week had a significantly reduced risk of pancreatic cancer (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.92;This reduction in risk was independent of established or suspected risk factors for pancreaticcancer including age, height, obesity, physical activity, smoking, diabetes and dietary factors," stated lead author, Ying Bao, MD, ScD, from the Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause for cancer-related mortality in the U.S., yet very few modifiable risk factors have been

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identified. According to the 2009 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) report, aside from cigarette smoking, body fatness was the only convincing modifiable risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

While there may be concern that frequent nut consumption may result in weight gain and thereby increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, the opposite seems to be true. "In our cohort women who consumed the most nuts tended to weigh less," reported Dr. Bao. Moreover, in a recent analysis of this same cohort, higher nut consumption was associated with a slightly lower risk of weight gain and obesity.

Nut intake has also been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes mellitus, which is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. "Nuts contain a variety of important vitamins, mineralsand phytochemicals," states Maureen Ternus, M.S., R.D., Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF).

"This exciting, new study provides yet another reason to encourage people to eat a handful-or 1/3 cup-of tree nuts every day."

Nutrition Research update

IMPROVED CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC SYNDROME HEALTH RISK FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TREE NUT CONSUMPTION IN US ADULTS: NHANES 2005-2010 CE O’Neil, PhD, RD;1 TA Nicklas, DrPH;2 VL Fulgoni III, Ph.D.3 LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA; 2Baylor College of Medicine, USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, 3Nutrition Impact LLC, Battle Creek MI

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Abstract Learning Outcome: To determine the association of tree and all nut consumption with cardiovascular (CVRF) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) health risk factors in adults.

Text: NHANES 2005-2010 data were used to examine potential associations of tree nut and all nut consumption with health risks in adults 19+ years (n=14,386; 51% males). Tree nuts were defined as: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and pine nuts; all nuts also included peanuts. Group definitions were consumers of ≥¼ ounce/day tree or all nuts using 24hour dietary recalls. Means and ANOVA (covariate adjusted) were determined using appropriate sample weights.

Using logistic regression, odds ratios of being overweight (OW)/obese (OB) (BMI >25/<30 and >30, respectively) and having CVRF or MetS risk factors were determined. Tree nut consumption was associated with lower body mass index (p=0.0002), waist circumference (WC) (p=0.0009), HOMA-IR (p=0.0498), and higher HDL-cholesterol (p=0.0020) (compared with no consumption). Tree nut consumption was also associated with a lower likelihood of OB (-26%; p=0.0038), OW/OB (-30%; p=0.0002), elevated WC (-26%; p=0.0023), reduced HDL-cholesterol (-19%; p=0.0266), and MetS (-33%; p=0.0083). All nut consumption was associated with higher HDL-cholesterol (p=0.0005), lower systolic (p=0.0045) blood pressure, lower HOMA-IR (p=0.0001) and a lower likelihood of reduced HDL-C (-18%; p=0.0005). The data suggest that nut consumption, especially tree nut consumption, was associated with better weight status and some CVRF. On a population basis, these reduced risk factors could lead to better health and lower long-term healthcare costs Story Continues on Page 98

Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Adult Tree Nut and Non-Tree Nut Consumers and All Nut and Non-All Nut consumers participating in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Tree Nut Consumers n=972 Mean±SE 51.61±1.96

Variable Gender—(%) Female Ethnicity 81.49±1.70 White (%) 6.62±1.03 Black (%) 5.20±0.71 Mexican (%) 52.24±0.67 Age (Years) 3.68±0.07 Socioeconomic Status (PIR) Physical Activity 15.88±1.40 Sedentary (%) 37.72±2.05 Moderate (%) 46.40±2.31 Active (%) 13.22±1.79 Smoker, Current (%) 11.24±0.95 Alcohol (g) Abbreviation: PIR = poverty index ratio

Tree Nut Non-Consumers n=13,414 Mean±SE 51.14±0.45

All Nut Consumers n=7,810 Mean±SE 35.64±0.70

All Nut Non-Consumers n=6,576 Mean±SE 70.02±0.72

74.97±1.70 9.46±0.83 6.80±0.84 50.20±0.36 3.23±0.04

67.23±2.23 13.42±1.22 9.01±1.05 42.44±0.35 2.80±0.05

24.92±0.96 35.73±0.82 39.35±1.15 21.53±0.78 12.21±0.53

26.24±0.97 36.13±0.86 37.63±0.94 25.56±1.10 9.94±0.52

70.60±1.95 11.65±1.01 8.03±0.96 46.21±0.34 2.98±0.04

26.36±0.81 35.75±0.66 37.89±0.84 24.23±0.71 11.18±0.47

Table 2. The Association of Consuming Tree Nuts or All Nuts with Physiologic Measures in Adults participating in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Tree Nut Non-Tree Nut All Nut Non-All Nut Consumers Consumers Consumers Consumers

Variable N LS Mean±SE LS Mean±SE LS Mean±SE LS Mean±SE Weight (kg)1 14,229 80.26±0.80* 82.24±0.34* 82.05±0.41 82.12±0.43 BMI (kg/m2)1 14,204 27.72±0.25* 28.72±0.12* 28.52±0.14 28.78±0.15 WC (cm)1 13,838 95.77±0.66* 98.05±0.29* 97.70±0.36 98.06±0.35 Systolic BP (mm Hg)2 13,918 120.35±0.71 122.07±0.21* 121.49±0.2* 122.47±0.28* Diastolic BP (mm Hg)2 13,851 71.63±0.66 70.59±0.27 71.51±0.32* 69.65±0.30* LDL-C (mg/dL)2 6,480 115.01±2.08 115.85±0.62 116.40±0.79 115.03±0.93 HDL-C (mg/dL)2 13,666 54.77±0.55* 52.85±0.26* 53.31±0.27 52.64±0.34 Triglycerides (mg/dL)2 6,621 125.39±5.76 134.41±1.93 132.96±2.26 134.55±2.49 Glucose (mg/dL)2 6,662 102.56±1.00 104.32±0.43 103.96±0.63 104.44±0.51 Insulin (uU/mL)2 6,581 11.41±0.42 12.12±0.18 11.99±0.20 12.15±0.20 HOMA-IR2 6,568 3.02±0.12* 3.28±0.05* 3.23±0.06 3.29±0.06 CRP (mg/dL)2 13,709 0.41±0.03 0.39±0.01 0.37±0.01 0.41±0.01 Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index, WC = waist circumference, BP = blood pressure, LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HOMA-IR = Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance, CRP = C-reactive protein 1Covariates: Gender, Ethnicity, Age, Socioeconomic Status (PIR 0-1.25, 1.25-3.5, >=3.25), Physical Activity Level (sedentary, moderate, active), Current Smoker Status, and Alcohol.

2Covariates: Gender, Ethnicity, Age, Socioeconomic Status (PIR 0-1.25, 1.25-3.5, >=3.25), Physical Activity Level (sedentary, moderate, active), Current Smoker Status, Alcohol, and BMI. * P<0.05

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Nutrition Research update but need confirmation in longitudinal studies. Support: International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation and USDA.

Introduction • Consumption of tree nuts is inversely related to obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, & type 2 diabetes; all nuts (tree nuts + peanuts) are less well studied.

• No recent studies using a nationally representative US population have examined the association of tree nut or all nut consumption and health risk factors.

• The majority of dietary intervention trials with tree nuts have resulted in lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, or triglyceride levels, or higher HDL levels in tree nut consumers compared with non-consumers; peanuts are less well studied.

• The purpose of this study was to compare the association of tree nut and all nut consumption with CVRF and MetS health risk factors in adults.

Subjects & Methods 1 • Intake data were obtained from adults 19+ years participating in the 2005-2010 NHANES using Day-1, interviewer administered, 24-hour dietary intake recalls.

• The US Environmental Protection Agency-USDA Food Commodity Intake Database (FCID) commodity codes were used to determine tree nut (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, Macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts) and peanut and their oils and butters.

Table 3. Risk of Overweight and Obesity and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Adult Consumers and Non-Consumers of Tree Nuts and All Nuts participating in the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Tree Nut Consumers All Nut Consumers

N OR LCL UCL OR LCL UCL Variable Overweight1,2 14,204 0.95 0.80 1.13 1.00 0.89 1.11 Obese1,2 14,204 0.74* 0.60 0.90 0.96 0.85 1.08 Overweight or Obese1,2 14,204 0.70* 0.58 0.83 0.95 0.85 1.08 WC Elevated1,3 13,838 0.74* 0.61 0.89 0.90 0.78 1.04 Elevated Systolic BP4 14,023 0.86 0.70 1.06 0.98 0.87 1.11 Elevated Diastolic BP4 14,023 0.97 0.79 1.20 1.08 0.93 1.24 LDL-C Elevated4,5 6,579 0.78 0.59 1.04 0.99 0.85 1.16 HDL-C Reduced4,5 13,798 0.81* 0.68 0.98 0.82* 0.73 0.91 Triglycerides Elevated4,5 6,685 0.77 0.58 1.02 0.89 0.75 1.05 Glucose Elevated4,5 6,700 0.88 0.68 1.14 0.94 0.81 1.10 Glycohemoglobin Elevated (>85th 14,386 0.82 0.63 1.06 1.08 0.92 1.26 Pctl)4 Glycohemoglobin Elevated (>6.7%)4 14,386 0.78 0.55 1.10 1.22 0.99 1.50 Insulin Elevated (>85th Pctl)4 6,962 0.81 0.54 1.21 0.91 0.71 1.17 Metabolic Syndrome1,6 10,093 0.67* 0.49 0.90 0.86 0.73 1.00 For Tree Nut Consumers, the reference group was no tree nut consumption; for All Nut Consumers, the reference group was no all nut consumption.

1Covariates: Gender, Ethnicity, Age, Socioeconomic Status (PIR 0-1.25, 1.25-3.5, >=3.25), Physical Activity Level (sedentary, moderate, active), Current Smoker Status, and Alcohol.

2Oveweight was defined as a BMI 25-29.9; obese was defined as a BMI>30; overweight or obese was defined as a BMI >25.

3Elevated WC was defined as >102 cm (males), >88 cm (females) 4Covariates: Gender, Ethnicity, Age, Socioeconomic Status (PIR 0-1.25, 1.25-3.5, >=3.25), Physical Activity Level (sedentary, moderate, active), Current Smoker Status, Alcohol, and BMI. 5Reduced HDL-cholesterol was defined as <40 mg/dL (males), <50 mg/dL (females); high triglycerides, ≥150 mg/dL or taking anti-hyperlipidemic medications; high fasting glucose, ≥110 mg/dL or taking insulin or other hypoglycemic agents. Elevated LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL 6Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Adult Treatment Panel III criteria; that is having 3 or more of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, WC>102 cm (males), >88 cm (females); hypertension, SBP ≥130 mmHg or DBP ≥85 mmHg or taking anti-hypertensive medications; HDL-cholesterol, <40 mg/dL (males), <50 mg/dL (females); high triglycerides, ≥150 mg/dL or taking anti-hyperlipidemic medications; high fasting glucose, ≥110 mg/dL or taking insulin or other hypoglycemic agents.

Abbreviations: WC = waist circumference, BP = blood pressure, LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol * p<0.05

Telephone: 520-791-2852 Fax: 520-791-2853 P.O. Box 7 Sahuarita, Arizona 85629 U.S.A.

Subjects & Methods 2 • The gram amount of all tree nut and tree nut butters consumed by NHANES 2005-2010 respondents was determined by applying the tree nut/all nut FCID database to the respondent’s 24-hour recall dietary interview data. The tree nut content per 100 grams was multiplied by the gram weight of the food consumed divided by 100. Consumers were defined as those consuming >¼ oz of tree nuts or all nuts.

• Weight, waist circumference, and CVFR were measured according to NHANES protocols. BMI was calculated as ht (cm)/wt (kg)2.

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4/19/2013 10:45:48 AM

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Nutrition Research update Metabolic Syndrome was defined using ATP III criteria.

reduced HDL-C was lower among all nut consumers.

• Least-square means ± SE were calculated using PROC REGRESS of SUDAAN. The adjusted prevalence of risk factors was determined by calculating the least-square mean for the dichotomous variables using PROC REGRESS, and odds ratios were calculated using PROC LOGISTIC of SUDAAN. Covariates are provided in individual tables. p<0.05.

study limitations

• Sample-weighted data were used in all statistical analyses.

conclusions & implications

results summary • Average consumption among tree nut consumers was ~38 g/day.

Average consumption among all nut consumers was ~10 g/day.

• Tree nut consumers had a mean lower weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and HOMA-IR and higher mean HDL-C than nonconsumers. All nut consumers had lower systolic blood pressure and higher diastolic blood pressure than non-consumers.

• The likelihood of being obese or overweight/obese and of having elevated WC, reduced HDL-C, or MetS were lower among tree nut consumers than among non-consumers. The likelihood of having

• The NHANES is a cross-sectional study, and the data cannot be used to draw causal relationships.

• Further, 24-hour dietary recalls have several inherent limitations: they depend on memory and subjects may under- or over-report • Tree nut consumption was associated with a better weight/adiposity status, and several measures of cardiovascular risk factors than those seen among non-consumers. All nut consumption was associated with better systolic blood pressure levels than those seen in nonconsumers.

• On a population basis, these reduced risk factors could lead to better health.

• Tree nut consumption should be encouraged by health professionals, including registered dietitians; nutrition education programs that increase awareness and consumption of tree nuts should be designed and delivered.

Mediterranean diet may protect against cognitive decline, depression and stroke Adherence to a Mediterranean diet may contribute to the prevention of a variety of conditions linked to the aging brain, including cognitive decline, depression and stroke, say researchers. the University of Athens School of Medicine, Greece, the research team revealed that the Mediterranean diet was found to be protective for both subgroups of cognitive decline (mild and advanced), and the finding was reproduced for Alzheimer's disease (AD), which was the predominant condition among studies addressing advanced cognitive decline.

"Adherence to Mediterranean diet was found protective for depression in all types of studies (longitudinal cohort, case–control, and crosssectional) both in Mediterranean and in non-Mediterranean countries," revealed the researchers.

The meta-analysis, published in Annals of Neurology, shows that high adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, such as Mediterranean diet, may be beneficial along many central nervous system-related axes - and is inversely associated with stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression.

To a lesser extent, moderate adherence to a Mediterranean diet seemed also to confer protection in terms of depression, as well as

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cognitive impairment risk, whereas its protective effects regarding stroke remained only marginal; the pattern of results may be indicative of a dose–response relationship. Interestingly, the protective effects of Mediterranean diet in stroke prevention seemed more sizeable among males, whereas the favorable actions of moderate adherence concerning depression seemed to fade away with advancing age.

Led by Professor Theodora Psaltopoulou from

"Interestingly, depression is a risk factor for AD; thus, the protective role mediated by Mediterranean diet in terms of both depression and AD seems to point to the internal consistency of results," they added.

"Given the limited availability of pharmaceutical agents to treat cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, and stroke, one could argue for the importance of preventive measures, such as a healthy dietary regime, to diminish the risk of mild and advanced cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and stroke," wrote Psaltopoulou and colleagues.