Amcor has unveiled the findings of an international study of consumers’ nut buying preferences.
Surveying 2,041 nuts purchasers across Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, the research found that taste and flavour (23%) was the top factor likely to influence shoppers’ nut choices – followed closely by price (20%) and then impact on health or nutritional value (17%).
Crucially, six in ten (62%) agree that recyclable packaging would make them more likely to buy a nut product. This is particularly high in the UK (70%) and in Spain (67%) and is seen strongest amongst younger consumers (age 18-35).
The study also found that:
- Six in ten (60%) agree that packaging containing recycled content would make them more likely to buy a nut product. Again, this was found to be highest in the UK (69%)
- 20% of consumers chose “Recyclable packaging” as the strongest sustainability claim and most likely to influence their purchasing decision. Interestingly, consumers of nuts say they are willing to pay a little more for their favourite product in recyclable packaging.
- 62% of consumers said they were willing to pay at least 3% more for recyclable packaging.
Alongside growing consumer demand, regulatory pressure is accelerating this shift with modulated Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees in the UK from 2026, and the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations, which will require most packaging, including food packaging, to be designed for recycling by 2030.
Sarah Neerkorn, market insights manager, at Amcor, said, “Beyond core factors such as price and taste, sustainability can directly shape preference and behaviour at the checkout. The majority of consumers (62%) said recyclable packaging would make them more likely to buy the product. In a world where consumers have more choice than ever before, sustainability factors are becoming significant and powerful influencers on nut choices.
“That’s why Amcor developed the AmPrima mono-material solutions for nuts to stay ahead of this change and the fast-approaching Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. AmPrima offers flexible and high-performance packaging solutions that are recycle-ready today in most European countries.”
