Pecans: close-knit EU-US trade
August 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Europe takes the lead for US pecans
According to the American Pecan Council total shipments range 14% lower than last year at 314 million pounds for September 2024 to June 2025. Exports have declined by 20% to 6 million pounds. As shipments to the Netherlands have surged by 72% the country tops the chart. Contrary to this, exports to Canada have dropped by 39%. Exports to South Korea have risen by 29%.
Europe not only is the most important export destination for US pecans accounting for more than half of the volume (2.148 million pounds) exported in the first ten months of the season but also the only region to which exports have risen. Luckily, the EU’s intended countermeasure tariff of 30% for US pecans meant to take effect on 7 September appears to be off the table after the US and EU reached a framework deal last week that sets a baseline tariff of 15% for most EU products imported into the US. Seen as a one-sided victory for Trump the agreement has, however, earned fierce criticism within the EU.
|
US pecan exports (1,000 pounds) |
|||
|
Destination |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
Netherlands |
486 |
837 |
72% |
|
Canada |
1,352 |
819 |
-39.4% |
|
South Korea |
357 |
460 |
28.9% |
|
Israel |
654 |
420 |
-33.8% |
|
UK |
489 |
413 |
-15.5% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
168 |
276 |
64.3% |
|
UAE |
431 |
165 |
-61.7% |
|
Spain |
132 |
165 |
25.0% |
|
China |
82 |
164 |
100.0% |
|
Japan |
91 |
148 |
73.6% |
|
Others |
1,945 |
1,083 |
-44.3% |
|
Total |
6,187 |
4,950 |
-20.0% |
|
American Pecan Council, 01/09-30/06 |
|||
Hurricane damage may not be as bad
As total inventories stand 12% lower at 197 million pounds and total commitments 1% higher at 173 million pounds, the net open position fell to 23 million pounds in June, a stunning 55% lower than last year’s 51 million pounds. Due to Hurricane Helene, which hit the Southeastern United States in September 2024, the US crop is projected around 6% lower than last year. Recent reports are, however, cautiously optimistic that the hurricane may have not create as much damage as expected in the leading producing state of Georgia. Nut set was above expectations in the eastern parts of the state. There is a possibility that the damage occurred early enough in the season for regrowth.
US supplies 57% of EU imports
EU imports amounted to 10,369 mt (22 million pounds) worth EUR 103 million (USD 119 million) in January to July 2025. This presents a moderate rise of 3% on the 10,110 mt (22 million pounds) imported in the same period in 2024 and a sharper 9% rise on the import value of EUR 94 million (USD 109 million) registered in 2024. In accounting for 57% of the EU’s total import volume this year, the US is the most important trading partner by far. Imports have, however, declined by 14%. By contrast, shipments from Mexico have surged by 32% and have more than tripled from South Africa. Within the EU the Netherlands are the leading importing member state and account for 45% of the total import volume. Germany is next in line with 21%, followed by Spain with 10%.
|
EU pecan imports (kg) |
|||
|
Partner |
2024 |
2025 |
Diff. |
|
USA |
6,858,856 |
5,923,333 |
-13.6% |
|
Mexico |
2,942,373 |
3,882,718 |
32.0% |
|
South Africa |
106,426 |
394,636 |
270.8% |
|
Argentina |
66,476 |
70,145 |
5.5% |
|
Brazil |
- |
28,554 |
- |
|
Turkey |
13 |
20,179 |
155,123.1% |
|
Bolivia |
2 |
19,054 |
952600.0% |
|
EU |
820 |
13,409 |
1,535.2% |
|
China |
1,066 |
6,774 |
535.5% |
|
UK |
44,903 |
3,865 |
-91.4% |
|
Others |
89,246 |
6,199 |
-93.1% |
|
Total |
10,110,181 |
10,368,866 |
2.6% |
|
DG Taxud’s Customs Surveillance system, provisional data, 01/01-27/07 |
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