Free of charge

Pecans: new season becomes a challenge

October 7, 2021 at 12:27 PM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

ATLANTA. High demand and smaller crops are fuelling market players' fears that supplies may run short in the 2021/22 season. Chinese buyers are already stocking up for the New Year celebrations in February.

Shipments up sharply

As Pecan Report states, some pecan farmers in the southeastern USA have already started harvesting the early varieties last month. This is very much welcomed by all market players, as stocks are so low this year that the new crop is eagerly awaited. According to the American Pecan Council (APC), this is mainly due to the massive increase in demand compared to last season. Although the August report has not yet been published, deliveries up to and including July were already a good 31,750 mt above those of the 2019/20 season. Among other things, the APC's marketing concept, which was able to significantly increase domestic consumption, contributed to this, and export demand, especially from China, has also increased noticeably. Chinese buyers are already concluding larger contracts to meet demand for the Chinese New Year that is taking place between 1 and 11 February 2022.

High crop losses in Mexico

With regard to this year's crops, Pecan Report sees the biggest problem in the low stocks. In the USA, the crop is expected to be average at best, as there are still many old trees in the plantations in the main growing region of Georgia, which bear fewer nuts than younger pecan trees. In Mexico, the prolonged drought in the summer caused many farmers to lose large parts of their crop. With cold storage stocks in the US already a good 18,000 mt below last year's, according to the USDA, demand in the 2021/22 season could potentially even exceed supply; either way, it will be a challenge for suppliers as well as buyers.

Despite the prospect of low availability and accompanying increases, European spot market prices have risen only slightly compared to last week. Fancy Junior Mammoth Halves currently cost EUR 10.75/kg FCA Spain.

Pecans

Origin, type

EUR/kg

USA, shelled, Fancy Junior Mammoth Halves, FCA Spain

10.75

Südafrika, shelled, Large Pieces, FCA DP

6.95

Trade sources

View more information 
price charts

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Mar 11, 2026
SUCRE/REUS. In its latest report, the INC's estimates for global Brazil nut production in 2026 remain unchanged from its November 2025 forecasts. The crop for the 2025/26 season is therefore likely to be significantly smaller than in the previous year.
Nuts
Mar 11, 2026
REUS. Prospects are highly encouraging for macadamias this year as the latest estimates issued by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council highlight.
Nuts
Mar 11, 2026
SANTIAGO/ REUS. ChileNut has issued an early estimate for this year’s crop. The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council has also revised the crop estimates for 2025/2026. For the USA and China, the Iran war spells quite a bit of trouble.
Nuts
Mar 10, 2026
MANILA. Prices on the Philippine market for desiccated coconuts are currently moving in different directions, which plays into the hands of processors. Energy and transport costs are increasing, and many buyers are holding back for the time being.