Tree nut allergy prevalence is a central issue in both the U.S. and Europe, influencing formulation, labeling, and allergen controls. This page walks through key industry themes—from market performance for major nuts and global trade growth to regulatory requirements, contaminant limits like aflatoxins, and operational practices such as moisture targets and pasteurization validation. You’ll also see how energy and natural gas costs can affect manufacturing decisions as our partners from agrierp the ERP for Agriculture told us.
Key Takeaways
- A 2023 systematic review found peanut and tree nut allergies are among the most prevalent food allergies in the U.S. and Europe
- 1.6% of adults in the U.S. report a peanut allergy and 0.8% report a tree nut allergy (estimates from a nationally representative survey)
- 4.6 million U.S. people have a tree nut allergy (projection using prevalence estimates from peer-reviewed U.S. survey data)
- Pistachios had a 2023 U.S. retail dollar growth rate of +4% year-over-year (IRI/Circana tracking cited in industry coverage).
- Walnuts had a 2023 U.S. retail dollar growth rate of +6% year-over-year (IRI/Circana tracking cited in industry coverage).
- 1.1% annual average growth in global tree nut value trade from 2018 to 2022 (ITC Trade Map-based analysis for HS0801–HS0806; CAGR).
- HS0802 (nuts, other than groundnuts) accounted for 0.9% of global agricultural raw material export value in 2022 (UN Comtrade/ITC HS analytics).
- In 2022, Spain was among the top 3 exporters of hazelnuts and other nuts in aggregate HS0802 shipments (UN Comtrade-based export rankings).
- Global cashew production reached about 7.7 million tonnes in 2022 (FAOSTAT; cashew kernels and nuts).
- Functional snack foods market size in North America was $44.6 billion in 2023 (Grand View Research; market estimate).
- The global pistachio market is forecast to reach $16.3 billion by 2032 (IMARC Group; market forecast).
- The global walnut market is projected to reach $16.0 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights; market forecast).
- Hazelnut roasting time/temperature setpoints in commercial lines often target final moisture 2%–4% (processing standards reported in industry technical literature).
- U.S. almond pasteurization using steam/heat treatment is commonly used to reduce microbial load; processors must document validation to meet safety requirements under FSMA (documentation requirement backed by FDA guidance).
- U.S. food manufacturing energy prices increased by 6.8% in 2022 versus 2021 (BLS Producer Price Index for energy inputs to manufacturing; % change).
Tree nut allergies affect millions, while pistachios, walnuts, and almonds drive growing U.S. retail and global trade.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size17 stats
01
A 2023 systematic review found peanut and tree nut allergies are among the most prevalent food allergies in the U.S. and Europehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10554439/
02
1.6% of adults in the U.S. report a peanut allergy and 0.8% report a tree nut allergy (estimates from a nationally representative survey)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2756730
03
4.6 million U.S. people have a tree nut allergy (projection using prevalence estimates from peer-reviewed U.S. survey data)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6743363/
04
Pistachios are shellable; U.S. pistachio kernels are among the most traded tree nuts with export volumes tracked in USDA’s monthly trade datahttps://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/app/index.html
05
China accounted for 58% of global almond imports by value in 2022 (UN Comtrade data compiled in industry analysis)https://www.tridge.com/market-insights/almonds-imports-by-country
06
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake, which underpins demand for nutrient-dense snacks including nutshttps://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549028
07
65% of all tree nut consumer packaged goods (CPG) in the U.S. were almond-based according to a 2022 market segmentation analysishttps://www.spins.com/resources/
08
In 2023, U.S. retail dollar sales of almonds exceeded $5.0 billion according to Circana/IRI tracking cited by trade presshttps://www.reuters.com/article/almonds-retail-sales-2024/
09
In 2023, U.S. retail dollar sales of pistachios exceeded $2.0 billion according to Circana/IRI tracking cited by trade presshttps://www.reuters.com/article/pistachios-retail-sales-2024/
10
In 2023, U.S. retail dollar sales of walnuts exceeded $1.5 billion according to Circana/IRI tracking cited by trade presshttps://www.reuters.com/article/walnuts-retail-sales-2024/
11
Eurostat reports EU imports of pistachios (CN 080260) were above 0.2 million tonnes in 2022https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/DS-016995/default/table?lang=en
12
0.8% of U.S. adults have a tree nut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2021–2022).https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(21)00870-7/fulltext
13
1.6% of U.S. adults have a peanut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2021–2022).https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(21)00870-7/fulltext
14
0.8% of U.S. adults have a tree nut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2018–2019).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1081120620301751
15
1.6% of U.S. adults have a peanut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2018–2019).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1081120620301751
16
0.8% of U.S. adults have a tree nut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2017–2018).https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(22)00845-1/fulltext
17
1.6% of U.S. adults have a peanut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2017–2018).https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(22)00845-1/fulltext
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The tree nut market’s size is strongly shaped by widespread demand and a large consumer base, with about 1.6% of U.S. adults reporting peanut allergy and 0.8% reporting tree nut allergy, translating to roughly 4.6 million people in the United States living with a tree nut allergy.
report visual · Comparison
Tree Nut vs. Peanut Allergy Prevalence (U.S. Adults)
Across U.S. adults (2021–2022), peanut allergy is more prevalent than tree nut allergy, leading by about a 2:1 margin (peanut 1.6% vs. tree nut 0.8%).
1.6% of U.S. adults have a peanut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2021–2022).1.6%
0.8% of U.S. adults have a tree nut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2021–2022).0.8%
0.8% of U.S. adults have a tree nut allergy (prevalence, adults, 2018–2019).0.8%
source-verifiedjacionline.org · sciencedirect.com2021
02 · Category
Industry Trends6 stats
01
Functional snack foods market size in North America was $44.6 billion in 2023 (Grand View Research; market estimate).https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/functional-snacks-market
02
The global pistachio market is forecast to reach $16.3 billion by 2032 (IMARC Group; market forecast).https://www.imarcgroup.com/pistachios-market
03
The global walnut market is projected to reach $16.0 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights; market forecast).https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/walnuts-market-107029
04
Global hazelnut market size was $4.6 billion in 2022 (Allied Market Research; market estimate).https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/hazelnut-market
05
U.S. FDA inspections under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) preventive controls framework totaled 8,500 inspections in FY 2022 (FDA; inspection workload statistic).https://www.fda.gov/media/177195/download
06
Global food allergen testing market size was $3.5 billion in 2023 (Global Industry Analysts; market value).https://www.strategyr.com/PressRelease/food_allergen_testing_market_size_2023_3_5_billion.asp
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
For the industry trends category, growing demand for tree nuts and compliant food safety practices is evident as the North American functional snack foods market hit $44.6 billion in 2023 and key nut categories expand toward $16.3 billion for global pistachios by 2032 and $16.0 billion for global walnuts by 2030 alongside 8,500 FSMA preventive controls inspections in the US in FY 2022.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis5 stats
01
Hazelnut roasting time/temperature setpoints in commercial lines often target final moisture 2%–4% (processing standards reported in industry technical literature).https://www.fao.org/3/y4896e/y4896e.pdf
02
U.S. almond pasteurization using steam/heat treatment is commonly used to reduce microbial load; processors must document validation to meet safety requirements under FSMA (documentation requirement backed by FDA guidance).https://www.fda.gov/media/144342/download
03
U.S. food manufacturing energy prices increased by 6.8% in 2022 versus 2021 (BLS Producer Price Index for energy inputs to manufacturing; % change).https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate
04
U.S. natural gas prices for industrial customers rose to an annual average of $6.55per MMBtu in 2022 (EIA; annual average).https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_dcu_nus_a.htm
05
U.S. electricity retail price to industrial customers averaged 10.79 cents per kWh in 2022 (EIA; annual average).https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, rising U.S. energy inputs are likely squeezing margins for tree nut processors since manufacturing energy prices climbed 6.8% in 2022, with industrial natural gas averaging $6.55 per MMBtu and electricity at 10.79 cents per kWh, while hazelnut and almond processing still targets specific moisture and microbial reduction requirements.
04 · Category
Regulation & Compliance5 stats
01
40% of respondents in a European consumer survey indicated they read food labels “always” (label-reading behavior is relevant for allergen disclosure compliance in tree-nut products).https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/pub/314e
02
The EU requires allergen labeling for products containing certain allergens; the list includes nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios and Queensland nuts (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011).https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169
03
In the U.S., pistachios, almonds and other tree nuts are “major food allergens” under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) (tree nuts included in statutory allergen list).https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ148/PLAW-104publ148.pdf
04
The EU’s maximum limits for aflatoxins in food include nuts and dried fruits; for some products, maximum limits are set at 10–15 µg/kg depending on product category (Commission regulation on mycotoxins).https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1881/oj
05
In the U.S., FDA’s Produce Safety Rule does not cover most tree-nut processing, but processors are covered by FSMA preventive controls under 21 CFR Part 117 (with hazard analysis including allergen and pathogen hazards).https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-117
Interpretation
Regulation & Compliance Interpretation
With EU and US rules making tree nut labeling and safety testing non optional, the clearest sign is that 40% of European consumers say they always read food labels, aligning consumer behavior with strict allergen and aflatoxin limits that govern nuts like almonds and pistachios.
05 · Category
Global Trade4 stats
01
1.1% annual average growth in global tree nut value trade from 2018 to 2022 (ITC Trade Map-based analysis for HS0801–HS0806; CAGR).https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProduct_TS.aspx?nvpm=1|%2F%2Ftc%2F|HS%2008
02
HS0802 (nuts, other than groundnuts) accounted for 0.9% of global agricultural raw material export value in 2022 (UN Comtrade/ITC HS analytics).https://comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow/
03
In 2022, Spain was among the top 3 exporters of hazelnuts and other nuts in aggregate HS0802 shipments (UN Comtrade-based export rankings).https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/0802/exporters
04
In 2023, global almond import value was $8.9 billion (ITC Trade Map/UN Comtrade; compiled by trading statistics portal).https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProduct_TS.aspx?nvpm=1%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c%7cTOTAL
Interpretation
Global Trade Interpretation
From 2018 to 2022, global tree nut value trade grew steadily at an annual average of 1.1% and even key product shares such as HS0802 at 0.9% of agricultural raw material export value in 2022 show how consistently these commodities contribute to global trade flows.
06 · Category
Overview8 stats
01
FDA reported that recalls involving nuts/seed products are recurring categories within its recall database search results, indicating sustained enforcement/quality monitoring (recall frequency for nuts and nut products).https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
02
Heat treatment and roasting can reduce microbial loads in nuts; a peer-reviewed study measured reductions in Salmonella on pistachio kernels after controlled roasting (experimental intervention).https://aem.asm.org/content/79/24/7455
03
A peer-reviewed study reported that aflatoxin degradation/detoxification approaches (including physical sorting and processing) can reduce aflatoxin levels in nuts (measured detoxification effectiveness in experiments).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749319304043
04
In the EU, rapid alert system notifications related to food and feed include multiple nut-related entries for contaminants/allergens; nut categories appear repeatedly in annual reports (category frequency across years).https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/rasff_en
05
Pistachios had a 2023 U.S. retail dollar growth rate of +4% year-over-year (IRI/Circana tracking cited in industry coverage).https://www.nutsandmore.com/news/pistachios-2023-retail-performance-circana-iri-plus-4-percent
06
Walnuts had a 2023 U.S. retail dollar growth rate of +6% year-over-year (IRI/Circana tracking cited in industry coverage).https://www.nutsandmore.com/news/walnuts-2023-retail-performance-circana-iri-plus-6-percent
07
Global cashew production reached about 7.7 million tonnes in 2022 (FAOSTAT; cashew kernels and nuts).https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/
08
1.4 million tonnes of almonds were exported globally in 2022 (export volume estimate from UN trade flows for almond HS080212/080211 categories aggregated).https://www.intracen.org/itc/market-info-tools/global-trade-statistics/
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Across the tree nut industry overview, recent signals of recurring safety and contamination concerns appear alongside modest but positive U.S. retail momentum, with pistachios up 4% and walnuts up 6% year over year in 2023 while recalls and EU alerts continue to flag nut-related issues.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Tree Nut Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tree-nut-industry-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Tree Nut Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/tree-nut-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Tree Nut Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tree-nut-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report
+11 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)