26
Almond Facts
MARCH | APRIL 2015
CORNERING THE MARKET
Almond
Krunchies
Attract Snack Fans
Across Europe
Snack lovers across Europe are set to experience a new taste sensation with the launch
of
Blue Diamond Almond Krunchies
. These crispy coated almonds launched February in
supermarkets in France and March in the United Kingdom and Finland. Available in
two BOLD flavors,
Spicy BBQ and Salt & Vinegar, Krunchies
are sure to excite consumers
seeking an extra crunchy snack.
Currently, the only coated nut product in the snack category is the peanut –
Blue
Diamond
is the first brand to bring this innovation to almonds.
Blue Diamond
and a local
partner have created an innovative blend of starches that creates a thin shell around
the almond—roasting provides extra crunchiness and the coating acts as a canvas
for the seasonings.
Krunchies
is the healthier, tastier coated nut option—it provides
the unique crunch experience while delivering the goodness of almonds. “These
combine for an extra crunchy and tasty almond snack experience,” said John Beadle,
Blue Diamond’s
European Managing Director. “Snack almonds are hugely popular
in the UK and we’ve introduced a new product that combines great flavor with the
benefits of the healthy almond at the core.”
The initial three-country launch builds on
Blue Diamond’s
thriving
Snack Almond
and
Almond Breeze
business in the United
Kingdom and its growing popularity in France and Finland. Currently, consumers in France enjoy three flavors of
Blue
Diamond
almonds –
Honey Roasted, Roasted with Sea Salt
and
Smokehouse
. Finnish consumers enjoy a wider selection of products,
including
Original
and
Unsweetened Almond Breeze, Smokehouse, Roasted with Sea Salt, Honey Roasted and Wasabi & Soy Sauce
almonds.
“We are utilizing established business partnerships with our strong retail customers and consumers who are already familiar with
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our
Blue Diamond
brand and the quality of
snack almonds that only we can provide.
In addition,
Krunchies
has enabled
Blue
Diamond
to enter into business with new
customers,” Beadle said.
Consumers in the UK can find
Krunchies
in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose
supermarkets. In Finland, S-Market and
Prisma will carry the new item. And
in France,
Krunchies
was featured as an
“innovation of the week” product in
February at Groupe Casino, and will also
be available in Carrefour markets.
The branded product growth across
Europe builds on
Blue Diamond’s
vision,
“to deliver the benefits of almonds to
the world.” Though it represents a small
segment of the cooperative’s overall
sales efforts, international retail has
experienced double-digit percentage
growth for four consecutive years.
Through a calculated expansion strategy,
more and more international consumers
will soon enjoy delicious
Blue Diamond
Almonds
and almond products.
