Pecans: tricky situation for US suppliers
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
High stocks are deceptive
According to the experts at Expana, the US pecan crop for the 2024/25 season was average. However, the supply situation was tighter than last year because imports, especially from Mexico, fell significantly for the second year in a row, which reduced availability despite good domestic production. Although data from cold stores show that stocks of shelled pecans were higher than in previous seasons, a large proportion of these were already committed. The overall higher stock levels were therefore misleading, as the volume of the actual available quantity was lower than in the previous season.
Exports to China have fallen sharply
According to the UDSA, stocks of inshell pecans reached their lowest level in six years at the start of the season, and the situation continues to worsen. Lower supply is meeting stable demand, and while domestic consumption can be met, exports are coming under pressure. Market experts predict US pecan exports to be below those of the 2023/24 season.
Exports of unshelled pecans went mainly to Canada (3,084 mt), China (2,722 mt), Israel (2,495 mt) and the Netherlands (2,041 mt). Shipments to China were significantly lower than last year, when 21,772 mt of inshell pecans were shipped to the Asian country. “The drop in Chinese demand, combined with lower imports and limited inventory, created an unusual supply-demand structure, suggesting that broader trade or competitive factors influenced international flows”, Expana assesses the situation.
Mexico is slowly catching up
EU imports are currently 4% above last year's level. Between 1 January and 9 November, 2025, a total of 14,774 mt of pecans were imported, with the US being the most important supplier at 7,727 mt. Mexico increased its shipments to the EU by an impressive 42.7% to 6,234 mt, making it the second largest supplier, followed by South Africa (+73.2% to 544 mt).
The most important customer within the EU during the above-mentioned period was the Netherlands, which imported 6,200 mt of pecans, followed by Germany with 3,810 mt and Spain with 1,560 mt. The average import price was EUR 9.95/kg, up 7.2% on the previous year, resulting in an 11.4% increase in the total import value to just under EUR 147 million.
|
EU pecan imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
USA |
9,271 |
7,727 |
-16.7% |
|
Mexico |
4,370 |
6,234 |
42.7% |
|
South Africa |
314 |
544 |
73.2% |
|
Others |
257 |
269 |
4.7% |
|
Total |
14,212 |
14,774 |
4.0% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/01-09/11 08029910 Fresh or dried pecans |
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