According to preliminary calculations, citizens consumed approximately five kilograms of nuts per person in the 2020/21 marketing year - the same amount as in the previous year. Peanuts (1.4 kilograms), almonds (1 kilogram) and hazelnuts (800 grams) are particularly popular, the Federal Agricultural Information Center (BZL) reports.
They are followed by cashews and walnuts, each with about 500 grams, and pistachios with about 400 grams. The statistics on the supply of nuts also include chestnuts and coconuts.
In total, the consumption of selected nuts in the 2020/21 marketing year was 401,600 tons. However, most of them have to be imported: Thus, net imports of nuts amounted to 409,800 metric tons, according to preliminary data from the FOCA. The main supplying countries are Argentina (peanuts), the U.S. (almonds) and Turkey (hazelnuts).
Planetary Health Diet recommends 50 grams of nuts per day
Whether as a snack, baking ingredient, spread or alternative to animal foods - nuts enrich the diet. In addition to valuable omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), they contain minerals such as potassium and sodium, B vitamins and vitamin E and, above all, vegetable protein, which is desirable in terms of a more plant-based diet.
According to the Planetary Health Diet, an nutritional concept designed to preserve the health of people and the planet worldwide, a daily energy intake of 2,500 kilocalories includes an average of 50 grams of nuts per day. This is equivalent to about a handful.