Almonds lead increase in tree nut consumption.Americans increased their consumption of tree nuts by 45 percent between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s, with almonds being among the favorites. Promotional programs that advertise the nutritional value of nuts, including beneficial levels of vitamin E vitamin E or tocopherol Fat-soluble organic compound found principally in certain plant oils and leaves of green vegetables. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in body tissues and may prolong life by slowing oxidative destruction of membranes. and omega fatty acids fatty acid, any of the organic carboxylic acids present in fats and oils as esters of glycerol. Molecular weights of fatty acids vary over a wide range. The carbon skeleton of any fatty acid is unbranched. Some fatty acids are saturated, i.e. , have likely contributed to the upswing Upswing An upward turn in a security's price after a period of falling prices. in per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. nut consumption. The trend toward healthier eating has also played a role, along with the increasing popularity of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods that contain nuts. Strong domestic and international demand for U.S.-grown tree nuts has helped keep prices up despite increased production. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The ERS ERS, n.pr See extended rotated side-bent. food availability data provide estimates of the food available for consumption and are a proxy for consumption, particularly for understanding trends over time. During 2001-06, nut availability was sufficient to provide each American with an average of 1 pound of almonds per year, 1 pound of "other nuts," a half pound each of walnuts and pecans, a third of a pound of hazelnuts, and a fifth of a pound of pistachios. "Other nuts" are those that are primarily imported rather than domestically produced and include cashews, brazil nuts Brazil nut, common name for the Lecythidaceae, a family of tropical trees. It includes the anchovy pear (Grias cauliflora), a West Indian species with edible fruit used for pickles, and several lumber trees of South America, e.g. , chestnuts, pine nuts pine nut or piñon (pĭn`yən, pē`nyōn), edible seed of various species of pine trees. Among the North American species that bear such edible seeds are the nut pines or piñons, Pinus edulis , and many nut mixes. Cashews make up the largest share of this category. Actual nut consumption is likely higher because nuts in imported foods are not reported in the availability data. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] While nut consumption has generally trended upward since 1995, the annual data for tree nuts show spikes and deep valleys largely because of production cycles. Nut trees are alternate bearing, meaning that they produce a large crop one year followed by a much smaller one the next year as the trees replenish their nutrients. Generally, the cycles bring big swings in crop size. Producers have learned to moderate some of these swings in crop size by increasing planted acreage and yields through improved production and management technologies. To compensate for off-year production, nut companies and major users, such as confectioners and ice cream manufacturers, build inventories during peak bearing years to try to maintain a steady annual supply. For more information ... ERS Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System, available at: www.ers.usda.gov/data/foodconsumption/ Jean C. Buzby, jbuzby@ers.usda.gov Susan L. Pollack pollack: see cod. pollack or pollock Either of two commercially important North Atlantic species of food fish in the cod family (Gadidae). , pollack@ers.usda.gov |
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