Pecans: double-digit downturn in exports
May 14, 2026 at 1:58 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Double-digit declines
Monthly shelled meat exports slumped by 36% to 2.88 million pounds in March 2026 as compared with the 4.49 million pounds exported in March 2025. Retail/grocery shipments remained relatively firm at 9.35 million pounds. By contrast, in-shell exports surged more than fourfold to 243,111 pounds as opposed to the 76,992 pounds registered in March last year. Retail/grocery sales plummeted to 361,527 pounds, whereas a much higher 4.02 million pounds were shipped in March 2025.
Year-to-date exports, however, show that demand for in-shell and shelled meats ranges much lower than last year. Total in-shell exports have fallen by 27%, from 7.06 million pounds in 2024/2025 to 5.16 million pounds in the current season. Shelled meat exports range 13% lower than last year.
Europe remains leading export destination
Canada as leading export destination is sporting a small rise of 6%. At 4.55 million pounds total shelled meat exports to North America have risen by 8% over last year’s 4.21 million pounds. Israel is next in line with a sharp dent of 20%. In fact, shipments to other prominent destinations in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates have taken a hit this year. Total shipments to the Middle East are 27% down at 4.04 million pounds as compared with the 5.53 million pounds exported last year. The war in the Middle East is clearly taking its toll on export flows.
Exports to the Netherlands have also declined by 16%. European countries are showing different trends. While shipments to the UK have also fallen by 21% and to France by 38%, Germany is sporting a sharp uprise of 65% and Lithuania an uptick of 4%. Although total exports to Europe have declined by 18% to 6.69 million pounds this year so far as compared with the 8.15 million pounds noted last year, this still is the most important export regions for US pecans.
While South Korea is showing a small 1% decline, shipments to Japan have risen a bit by 3%. Total shelled meat exports to Asia are 10% down at 3.18 million pounds as compared with last year’s 3.53 million pounds. Total inshell basis inventories have risen by 6%, from 247.87 million pounds in March 2025 to 262.79 million pounds in March 2026.
|
US pecan exports (pounds) |
|||
|
Destination |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Canada |
4,058 |
4,311 |
6.2% |
|
Israel |
3,584 |
2,897 |
-19.2% |
|
Netherlands |
2,299 |
1,928 |
-16.3% |
|
South Korea |
1,827 |
1,806 |
-1.1% |
|
UK |
1,636 |
1,284 |
-20.5% |
|
Germany |
652 |
1,074 |
64.7% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1,386 |
630 |
-54.6% |
|
Lithuania |
468 |
486 |
3.8% |
|
France |
904 |
559 |
-38.2% |
|
Japan |
409 |
420 |
2.7% |
|
Others |
4,259 |
3,198 |
-24.9% |
|
Total |
21,482 |
18,593 |
-13.4% |
|
American Pecan Council, 01/09-31/03 |
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