The Future Looks Bright For Pecan Nuts

Global demand for pecan nuts continues to grow as consumers become more aware of their health benefits. The trade war may also present opportunities for South African exporters.

- Karabo Takadi

World pecan nut production for the 2018/2019 season is expected to be 300 600t nut-inshell (NIS), 10% higher than the 272 413t produced the previous season (see Graph 1). This is largely due to the increase in planting in the main production regions.

The US and Mexico remain the world’s largest pecan-producing regions, followed by South Africa and Australia. Future production growth is expected in Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

Demand for pecans is strong in China, with planting there having rapidly increased since 2010, and production expected to increase a further 33% to 200t in 2018/2019. Between 40% and 50% of world pecan production is exported to China as NIS.

The demand for pecans is expanding across the world, largely driven by growing awareness of the nut’s various health benefits. Pecans are also being used as a substitute for nuts such as pistachios, as they are fairly similar in taste and nutritional value but less expensive. Pecans are seen as the ideal nut for consumption by middle- and lower-income families.

The global pecan market is expected to grow in the foreseeable future, with a gradual expansion in non-traditional regions such as China, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and Vietnam.