The global tiger nut market is estimated to be worth USD 275.3 million in 2024. Displaying a CAGR of 7.7% through 2034, global sales of tiger nuts are slated to total USD 580 million by the end of the forecast period. Rising use of the product in the cosmetics sector is one of the primary growth factors influencing the tiger nut market.
With the cosmetics industry focusing on organic ingredients as a result of consumer demand, the use of nuts in beauty and skincare products is set to climb. The nuts are reputed to improve skin health immensely. Thus, more cosmetic manufacturers are incorporating the product into lotions, creams, and more.
The onus being placed on eating healthy is increasing the scope of ingredients like tiger nut, which is also variously known as chufa, atadwe, yellow nutsedge, and earth almond. The numerous health benefits of the product, including controlling blood sugar levels and improving digestion, are seeing demand emerge for nuts in the food and beverage sector at a growing rate. Thus, the impact of consumer health trends on the tiger nut market is felt keenly.
The food application of the nuts is varied but eating the product raw is also practiced in various parts of the world, especially Africa. Lightly cooked or entirely raw tiger nuts serve as snacks, being sold in small shops for this purpose. Thus, the nuts have inherent demand.
Global Tiger Nut Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 254 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 275.3 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 580 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 7.7% |
The use of the nut for making several beverages is an important avenue of revenue generation for investors. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are making use of tiger nuts in an increasingly frequent manner.
Among the drinks is horchata de chufa, a non-alcoholic drink where, as the name suggests, chufa is the main ingredient. The drink is especially popular in Spain, where the production of the nut is mainly done for the making of the drink.
The demand for coffee substitutes is on the rise. Several consumers dislike the taste or the caffeine content of the drink while still desiring its refreshing qualities. Thus, coffee substitutes are proliferating in the marketplace. Roasted atadwe is ground into a coffee substitute and is another promising avenue of growth for stakeholders.
Another non-alcoholic drink that makes prominent use of yellow nutsedge includes kunu. Again, the healthy aspect of the product comes into play. The beverage is popular in Nigeria, again highlighting the importance of earth almonds among the African consumer base.
Beer production around the world is getting varied and a diversity of ingredients are being used to give different experiences to consumers. Chufa is just one of the ingredients being used in certain parts of Europe and Africa to craft compelling beers. Beer-making is a potential harbinger of immense growth in demand for tiger nuts.
Atadwe is making its presence known in various foods. The bakery sector is especially becoming more receptive to nuts. From biscuits and jams to nougats, atadwe is fast becoming a common ingredient in sweet products, enhancing the taste of sweetmeats.
The use of tiger nut oil as a healthy substitute for traditional oils is set to see sector demand grow. For deep frying or dressing on a salad, the influence of oil made from yellow nutsedge is increasing. The fattening quality of traditional cooking oils is looked at with aversion, and thus, oil from the product is becoming more common.
The rise of the vegan population is benefitting another by-product of earth almonds. The use of tiger nut milk is still in its nascent stages, but as the vegan and lactose-intolerant population of the world soars, milk made from the product is slotted in to develop more rapidly.
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Market Penetration of Tiger Nut-Based Snacks and Beverages
As the demand for healthy snacks ratchets up, chufa is becoming more common as a bite-sized meal. The product already has dominance as a snack in the African region. With the help of social media, the health benefits of the product are becoming more widespread.
Thus, yellow nutsedge demand is coming out of its shell and is no longer limited to just the areas where the ingredient grows. Thus, more Western and Asian nations are becoming familiar with the product.
Analysis of Nutritional Benefits of Tiger Nuts in Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements are gaining in popularity as a way to imbibe the necessary nutrition into bodies. Nutrition supplement producers are constantly on the lookout for ingredients that would increase the health benefits of their commodity. Earth almonds are suiting this need of health supplement producers.
Chufa’s myriad health benefits, such as aiding weight loss and improving heart health, are seeing it earn a favorable disposition among dietary supplement producers. Other benefits, such as improving immunity and sexual drive, are yet to be proven wholly, but they still serve to give the nut a positive reputation.
As hectic lifestyles make dieting habits among the working population uncertain, the sale of dietary supplements is proliferating. Thus, health supplements are a promising avenue for the growth of earth almonds.
Future Opportunities in the Form of Biodiesel
The oil of tiger nut oil has been suggested as a possible source of biodiesel. Petroleum companies and scientific enterprises are investigating sources of renewable fuel for vehicles.
This is driven by increasing environmental concerns as well as problems in securing diesel, such as geopolitical conflicts. While the viability of oil made from chufa for biodiesel is still a question, there is potential in the future for it to earn considerable revenue in the future.
The tiger nut market size was tipped to be USD 177 million in 2019. Throughout the historical period, the industry grew at a CAGR of 9.4%, reaching a size of USD 254 million in 2023.
As with other food and beverage industries, the pandemic proved to be beneficial for the chufa sector. With the rise in home cooking trends, there was more use of oil made from yellow nutsedge, as the pandemic also highlighted the need for healthy habits, including cooking. Even as the effects of stay-at-home orders dissipated, the sector continued to gain steam as more people became aware of the product.
The progress of the industry is anticipated to be slower in the forecast period than in the historical period. Several factors are foreseen to hinder the growth of the sector. Both the food and beverage and dietary supplements industries have a huge quantity of ingredients that they use to make their products nutritious. Thus, there is plenty of competition for the nuts.
The lack of awareness about the product and the resulting lack of reach in non-traditional areas contributes to the industry’s halting growth in the forecast period. However, there are still hefty opportunities for investors in the sector.
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Several tier 1 companies that have a notable presence in the sector include Tiger Nuts USA, Tigernuts Traders, S.L., Ecoideas, and KCB International. As the product is still new to certain consumers, especially in Western countries, companies are working towards making consumers more knowledgeable about it. They are doing this by making prominent the healthy nature of the nuts.
Tiger Nuts USA, understanding the relative newness of the product, takes the help of various deals and offers to improve demand. The company also banks on the variety of products it has lined up for distribution.
Yellow nutsedge is synonymous with Spain, and thus there is a great influence of Spanish investors in the sector. One of the prominent ones is Tigernut Traders. The company has a notable export arm.
S.L. Ecoideas sells several varieties of the product, including skinned nuts, flour, oil, and whole. On the other hand, KCB International relies on importing the product from Africa. The company boasts, though, of its exhaustive cleaning process, ensuring only safe nuts reach consumers.
Tier 2 companies include Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited (KVCL), Organic Gemini and Pamela’s Products. Not having the capital and resources of the tier 1 companies, these enterprises look to distinguish themselves by offering innovative products.
Tier 2 companies also typically concentrate on a smaller area, hoping to get more pieces of the pie in a particular region this way. This strategy is followed by Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited (KVCL). However, that does not mean the company does not have international aspirations, having signed agreements with companies in countries as varied as the Netherlands and India.
Organic Geminin prides itself on providing various healthy foods to consumers. The nuts are another example of consumers continuing to trust the company for all-natural and healthy products.
Pamela’s Products relies on the wide availability of various tiger nut products to appeal to consumers. The enterprise sells both flour made out of the nut as well as other products made from the flour. For example, chocolate chip cookies with tiger nut flour are particularly popular from the company’s line. Another popular and unique item is tiger nut bread.
Africa is the traditional hunting ground of the product. It is the region where the product has a long history of cultivation. To this day, chufa continues to absorb the minds of Africans, being eaten as it is as a snack as well as finding numerous applications in food and beverages. Many companies in the sector rely on Africa for the import of the product. Thus, Africa plays a prime part in the region.
Asia and Europe are other prominent regions where the product’s cultivation has a historical base. These are, again, important regions of the industry. North America is also playing a critical role as both import and cultivation grow in the region.
| Countries | CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| China | 8.5% |
| United States | 8.1% |
| United Kingdom | 9.0% |
| Japan | 9.4% |
| South Korea | 10.0% |
The industry is poised to progress at a CAGR of 8.1% in the United States. The demand for healthy food in the United States is flaring up as the obesity problem catches hold of the nation. Earth almonds are just one way through which the problem is being countered.
While the United States population is still craving baked goods, they are preferring healthy options. These healthy options are being achieved with the help of the target nut. From 2024 to 2034, it is anticipated that the industry in the United States will record robust growth, totaling a valuation of USD 103.2 million by 2034.
The South Korean market is set to register a CAGR of 10.0%. South Korea is reputed to have the lowest birth rate in the world. Both the government and the general population of the country are looking at solutions to turn things around. Improving the sexual drive of the population is one solution that is being looked at.
While the ability of the nuts to increase sexual prowess does not have full sexual backing, the good results it has shown have encouraged the adoption of the product in South Korea. Thus, the South Korean industry is set to climb to a total USD 37.3 million by 2034.
Sales of tiger nuts in the United Kingdom are forecast to surge at a CAGR of 9.0% over the forecast period. Thus, it will likely remain a highly remunerative pocket for companies.
Boiled nuts have found traditional uses as fishing bait in the United Kingdom. Carp is the fish that is caught using the bait. As fishing expeditions in the island nation grow, there is more scope for chufa to grow in the nation.
Although the use of the nuts as bait is not entirely without risk, fishermen are still expected to continue doing so over the ensuing decade. The industry value in the nation is projected to total USD 23.4 million by 2034.
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The below section offers insights into leading segments. Powder is the top form in which the nuts come. The food and oil industry is a prominent user of the product.
| Segment | Powder (Type) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2023) | 57% |
Powder form accounted for a value share of 57% in 2023. Convenience, extended shelf life, and other benefits of powder form are making it popular. The powder form of chupa has seen greater demand in recent years due to the ability of the powder to be molded into various bakery products.
Jams, biscuits, nougats, cookies, and other bakery applications keep the demand going for the powder form of yellow nutsedges. The consumer inclination toward natural and organic ingredients in bakery products drives up the demand for powdered tiger nuts too.
The powder form of the product is sold just as it is. With home cooking and organic home cooking on the rise, there is greater demand for chufa flour to replace traditional flour. As a result, the powder form of the product is in line to progress at a CAGR of 7.5% till the end of the forecast period.
| Segment | Food and Oil (Application) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2023) | 45% |
Food and oil industry application accounted for 45% of the industry share in 2023. The humongous population of the world keeps the food and oil industry busy. Thus, the nuts find more avenues for growth in this industry.
A notable number of cooks are moving away from the use of traditional oil in cooking, due to its unhealthiness. This creates a conducive environment for the tiger nut oil to grow. Specialty restaurants, for instance, are incorporating chufa oil at an encouraging rate. For the forecast period, food and oil industry application is predicted to book a CAGR of 7.3%.
Stakeholders in the tiger nut sector are indulging in acquisition strategies as a way of making the raw material acquisition process smoother. Meanwhile, enterprises on a smaller scale are looking at partnerships to increase demand.
Several players are incorporating eco-friendly packaging to woo more and more eco-conscious customers. Similarly, usage of social media platforms and other branding strategies are becoming prevalent as companies look to expand their customer base and boost sales.
Key Industrial Developments
Based on the type, the tiger nut market is divided into powder, granules, and others.
Based on the distribution channel, the sector is segmented into business to business and business to consumer. In addition, the business to consumer segment has been subdivided into hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, and others.
Based on the application, the tiger nut sector is categorized into food and oil industry, cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical industry, and others.
The sector has been analyzed with the following regions covered: North America, Latin America, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East and Africa.
The size of the tiger nut sector is estimated to be USD 275.3 million in 2024.
The sector is expected to increase at a CAGR of 7.7% over the forecast period.
The tiger nut market value is forecast to total USD 580 million by 2034.
Tiger Nuts USA, Tigernuts Traders, S.L., Ecoideas, and Henry Lamotte Services GmbH.
Sales in the nation are expected to record a CAGR of 8.1% through 2034.
1. Executive Summary 2. Industry Introduction, including Taxonomy and Market Definition 3. Market Trends and Success Factors, including Macro-economic Factors, Market Dynamics, and Recent Industry Developments 4. Global Market Demand Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, including Historical Analysis and Future Projections 5. Pricing Analysis 6. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034 6.1. Type 6.2. Application 6.3. Distribution Channels 7. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Type 7.1. Powder 7.2. Granules 7.3. Others 8. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Application 8.1. Food and Oil Industry 8.2. Cosmetic Industry 8.3. Pharmaceutical Industry 8.4. Others 9. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Distribution Channels 9.1. Business to Business 9.2. Business To Consumer 9.2.1. Hypermarkets/Supermarkets 9.2.2. Convenience Stores 9.2.3. Online Retail 9.2.4. Others 10. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Region 10.1. North America 10.2. Latin America 10.3. Western Europe 10.4. South Asia 10.5. East Asia 10.6. Eastern Europe 10.7. Middle East & Africa 11. North America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 12. Latin America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 13. Western Europe Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 14. South Asia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 15. East Asia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 16. Eastern Europe Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 17. Middle East & Africa Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 18. Sales Forecast 2024 to 2034 by Type, Application, and Distribution Channels for 30 Countries 19. Competition Outlook, including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard 20. Company Profile 20.1. Tiger Nuts USA 20.2. Tigernuts Traders, S.L. 20.3. Ecoideas 20.4. Henry Lamotte Services GmbH 20.5. KCB International 20.6. Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited (KVCL) 20.7. Levantex Bocairent S.L. 20.8. Organic Gemini 20.9. Pamela's Products 20.10. Rapunzel Naturkost 20.11. The Chufa Original Company
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Tiger Nut Market
