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Nuts
Nuts and Nuts Trading
Lesser mentioned within commodity trading, nuts are a widely traded agricultural commodity into the FMCG and Food industry globally. Whilst a niche area of commodity trading, our consultants have hands on and proven experience in supplying talent to the global nuts trading markets.
Our Experience
View our showreel below to see some of the mandates our consultants have worked on within the nuts and soft commodity markets for our clients.
Nut Trading
Types of Nut?
Nuts are used in a variety of food applications as well as a source of edible oils. The most commonly traded nuts vary by region, but there are substantial trading markets in:
Cashews are pale, kidney shaped nuts that are high in oil and protein content. As well as use in snack foods the shells that they grow in are refined to produce oil which is used as a lubricant and in the production of plastics
Peanuts are one of the most common ‘nuts’ although they are actually legumes; the edible seed of the peanut crop/plant. Commonly traded into confectioners, chocolatiers and food processing businesses, the peanut is generally classed as a nut for the purpose of commodity/edible nut trading business
Almonds grow on almond trees in a woodlike shell and are used in a variety of food applications as well as snack-nuts. Almonds are also used to make flavourings for cakes and other food ingredients sold into wholesalers, FMCG and food production markets
Pistachios are green nuts that grow on the pistachio tree and are actually part of the cashew family of nuts. Primarily grown in the Middle East and Asia, they are most commonly traded into snack manufacturers and wholesalers for snacking, but also used in flavourings and chocolate production
Hazelnuts are the edible nut/seed that grows on hazel trees. Hazelnuts are mostly traded into chocolatiers and food manufacturers as flavourings in food products, additives and snack-foods
Walnuts are the edible seed of a drupe, and hence not technically speaking ‘nuts’ however are consumed as such. Used in snack foods and as additives in food ingredients businesses
How are Nuts traded?
Nuts are traded globally but are quite limited in their origins. Certian regions produce specific types of nuts and traders must have strong relationships with farmers and producers in local regions to ensure efficient supply chain and reliable sourcing. Most commodity/nut traders sell containerised product, importing in large quantities and then selling onto wholesalers or into producers/processers of other food products as an ingredient. Some nut trading businesses have good vertical integration with their own processing, packaging and cleaning facilities that allow them to specialise in smaller quantities and sell direct to retailers or wholesalers which can improve margins and offer a more diversified trading portfolio.
Whilst there are no major markets for hedging and paper trading of nuts, there are some bespoke hedging and risk management firms that offer customised risk management profiles for participants in the nuts trading markets.
Where are Nuts traded?
Whilst nuts are sold globally, the sourcing side of the trading equation is quite limited and varies by type of nut.
The largest producers of cashews (2010 data) are:
Vietnam
India
Nigeria
Ivory Coast
Brazil
The largest producers of peanuts are:
China
India
Nigeria
Sudan
USA
The largest producers of almonds are:
USA (largest by some distance)
European Union
Australia
China
Turkey
The largest producers of pistachios are:
USA
Turkey
Iran
Syria
Greece
The largest producers of hazelnuts are:
Turkey
Italy
Azerbaijan
USA
China
The largest producers of walnuts are:
China
USA
European Union
Ukraine
Chile
Who are the clients?
The client types vary by product, but most snack nuts (cashew, pistachio, peanut etc.) ends up being traded into wholesalers and large scale processors. Other nuts that are used for flavouring or additives (hazelnuts etc.) are often traded into chocolatiers, food processors and FMCG businesses. Trading houses with their own production, packing and vertical integration sometimes sell directly to regional or specialist retailers as well as to processors and producers of other soft commodity and food products.
What is the Salary for an edible nuts trader?
Nuts trading is a very small by headcount market and thus attaining salary averages can be difficult. We estimate the salary for a mid-level nuts trader to be in the region of 100-150,000USD in Western regions, with traders based on the ground in countries of origin often paid a lower sum. Like other commodity traders, edible nut traders can expect a substantial comission or bonus element to their overall remuneration. Entry level positions in Nuts Trading in the UK and USA generally attract a salary of around 40,000USD.
Imperium Commodity Search – Specialist Headhunter to the global Edible Nuts Trading Markets
Our consultants have a broad experience across the soft commodity and food trading industries. In 2020, we managed the placement and establishment of a nuts trading desk in London, sourcing from Western Africa and in 2021 we were retained to launch a new North American nuts trading business for a global commodity trading house.
To discuss finding your next role within edible nuts trading, operations and sourcing, or to find out how Imperium Commodity Search can give your firm a competitive edge in a volatile market, then please call us now on +44 (0) 203 927 5090 or register online here and one of our Edible Nuts and Soft Commodity Consultants will contact you ASAP.
View our current edible nuts and soft commodity trading or operational jobs or contact one of our consultants to discuss current careers / jobs in edible nuts trading.
To arrange a consultation with a consultant to discuss your hiring needs / growth plans and where we can assist click here or contact one of our consultants directly here for a confidential discussion.
Edible Nuts Jobs
Physical Traders
Sourcing Professionals
Edible Nuts Hedging
Risk Management
Market Analysts
Executive Trading Positions
Edible Nuts Sales
Edible Nuts Broker
Purchasing/Sourcing
Finance
Compliance
Sustainability
Operations
Logistics
R&D
These are just a few examples of the edible nuts market jobs and careers we recruit for; other positions are available.
To see our latest edible nuts and soft commodity jobs and vacancies, please click here
Contact Us
We are here to help. Speak to one of our experienced soft commodity trading recruitment consultants now on +44 (0) 203 927 5090
OR
Send us a message online and we will come back to you.
Sustainability & ESG
We are proud to bring a ‘first of kind’ ESG commitment as part of our guaranteed hire search process. Partnering with Ripple Africa to plant trees, aid carbon neutrality and offer carbon credit certification we work with clients to recruit in a sustainable way that is unique to us.
Find out more on our Sustainability page