<p>The global nuts and seeds market is led by a number of key players such as Blue Diamond Growers Inc., Diamond Foods Inc., Diamond Foods Inc., Cargill Inc., McCormick and Company Inc., Richardson International, and E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company. Key players in the market are introducing new products to cater to the dynamic consumer requirements. Companies in the nuts and seeds market are engaging in frequent mergers, collaborations, acquisitions, and joint ventures so as to increase their market presence. Players such as Blue Diam are engaged in extensive research and development activities so as to introduce newer products in the market and to bring in variety in their existing range, states a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).</p> <p>According to the report, the global nuts market was worth US$1137.06 bn in 2014 and the revenue is expected to increase to US$1279.44 bn by 2021, expanding at a CAGR of 1.7% from 2014 to 2021. The global seeds market is expected to rise from US$56.23 bn in 2014 to US$14.26 bn by 2021, expanding at a 10% CAGR between 2014 and 2021. On the basis of product type, the cashew nut segment will continue to lead and is estimated to account for 28.91% of the market by 2021. The walnut segment is anticipated to trail next after the cashew nut segment. Asia Pacific is the clear leader in terms of geography, accounting for 92.62% of the nuts market by 2021. However North America is expected to lead in the seeds market, accounting for 35.15% by 2021.</p> <p><strong>Health Benefits to Drive Demand for Nuts and Seeds</strong></p> <p>Edible nuts are being used in spices, beverages, condiments, and edible oils. The health benefits of consuming nuts, such as reducing the risk of cancer, inflammation, coronary heart disease, hypertension, formation of gallstones, and diabetes in people. They also help reduce the cholesterol in human body, influence metabolic syndrome, visceral adiposity, and help with the reduction of body weight. Various organizations are promoting the consumption of nuts and seeds owing to their health benefits. This is expected to drive the demand for nuts and seeds.</p> <p><strong>Adverse Effects of Excess Consumption of Nuts and Seeds</strong></p> <p>Nuts and seeds are considered to have a negative impact on the health and this is expected to impede the market’s growth in the coming years. As nuts have high fat, high calorie intake leads to unnecessary weight gain and this could lead to high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides, and respiratory problems. Excess consumption of seeds such as flax seeds have laxative effects and could lead to diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and increasing incidence of bowel diseases.</p> <p>“Another factor posing a challenge to the nuts and seeds market is the intense processing techniques of different types of nuts,” says a TMR analyst. For instance, cashew nuts have to undergo several stages of processing such as shelling, roasting, and pre-grading. The cost of processing increases and this increases the price of the end product.</p> <p><strong>Developing Nations Offering Growth Opportunities</strong></p> <p>Developing countries such as Indonesia and Argentina are attracting many manufacturers operating in the nuts and seeds market. The growing disposable income of consumers in these countries is expected to drive the consumption of nuts and seeds. High demand for nuts and seeds is also expected from BRICS nations owing to increasingly busy lifestyle and growing disposable income of people across developing nations. The rising awareness among consumers regarding health is expected to make developing nations, lucrative market for nuts and seeds.</p>