In Italy, the dried fruit market continues to show a strong growth trend, supported by a lively demand and an increasingly broad and conscious interest in a food appreciated not only for its versatility, but also for its nutritional properties.
"Dried fruit has now become a fundamental part of the eating habits of many Italians, consolidating its role within a healthy and balanced diet: we must wonder whether it is crossing the boundary to become a commodity. According to Circana data updated to October 2024, the sector achieved sales of about EUR 877 million in the hypermarket, supermarket and small free-service shop channels, with over 68,000 tonnes sold in total. These numbers testify to a steady growth in both value and volume compared to the previous year," explain the managers of Madi Ventura, a company from Genoa specialising in the processing of dried fruit.
The most dynamic segments of the market
Among the main segments, unshelled dried fruit stands out representing 36.1% of the value and 26.3% of the volume of the entire category. Within this segment, shelled almonds and walnuts are the protagonists, with a sustained growth for walnuts in particular, which recorded an increase of +24.6% in volume and +19.7% in value. Shelled cashews, on the other hand, are among the fastest growing products with over 20% (+27.1% in volume and +23.3% in value), signalling a growing appreciation on the part of Italian consumers.
Other high-performing segments include roasted seeds, which recorded an increase of +7.8% in volume and +11.2% in value, driven by pistachios, cashews and roasted almonds, and dried fruit mixes, which confirmed their position as one of the market leaders, recording an increase of +15% in value and +17% in volume.
"Also worth noting is the continued rise in dried fruit bars, which respond to the demand for practical, simple and healthy products to be consumed on the go, and which continue to register significant increases (+17% in value and +19.5% on the previous year)."
Consumption in the last month and the effect of the Christmas holidays.
The positive trend has been further consolidated in recent months. Sales increased by +14% in both value and volume in October, a 12% increase in the quarter. The Christmas holidays, traditionally associated with a peak in dried fruit consumption, particularly affect categories such as nuts, dried fruit, dates and figs. The latter, a symbol of the festive season, have seen significant growth in sales: +13.5% in volume and +14.7% in value in the last month alone, a sign of increasing demand for these products during the autumn/winter season.
Innovations and prospects for the coming months
"Dried fruit confirms its expansion with long-term growth prospects, supported by a strong interest in the category on the part of both fruit and vegetable operators as well as users and buyers," they say at Madi Ventura.
"The period of high seasonality, combined with product availability and the distribution timeframe, may further support demand, making this period particularly significant for monitoring the evolution of consumer preferences and anticipating future trends in an ever-changing market."
For more information: 
Madi Ventura S.p.A.
Via San Vincenzo, 2
16121 Genova - Italy
+39 010 599431
[email protected]
www.madiventura.it