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Texas Agriculture Archive

November 1, 2002

Short pecan crop
nationwide may lift prices

Drought and floods have impacted the 2002 pecan crop, resulting in lower production and better prices.

"Georgia is in a rain deal, and that's good for us, if we can get a break in the weather here," Dr. George Ray McEachern, Extension Pecan Specialist at College Station, reported in late October, during a rainy period in Texas. "We have 40 to 50 million pounds. Quality is excellent, crop size is average."

With both pecan and total tree nut production expected to be down, McEachern expects prices to be better than last year's disappointing market.

"People are buying pecans, and prices are good. Nationwide, it's a short crop, low average. Growers in Fort Stockton, Las Cruces and Tucson will do good, especially if it keeps raining everywhere else," McEachern predicted.

Cindy Wise, executive vice president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association, agreed.

"The quality is very good," said Wise. "The prices have been stronger [than last year], and the growers have certainly been pleased about that."

Extension Economist Jose Peña, Uvalde, said tree nut production is expected to be down 6.9 percent from last year's record crop.

Rains in late July and throughout August helped increase yields and quality, but high humidity led to more problems with insects, he added.

The rains in July and August may have been beneficial, but rain in September created problems for Texas pecan growers, mainly in the southern parts of the state, by creating wetter fields that have hampered harvesting efforts, Peña pointed out.

While Texas is seeing an early crop, it is a "good, high quality" harvest, he assured.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent official estimate, Texas has a production forecast of 50 million for this upcoming crop, which is about 33 percent less than last year. Still, the forecast is 67 percent higher than the 2000 crop.

Certainly, the most positive result of the production setbacks is increased prices. "Prices for pecans, especially good quality pecans, should recover to at least the 2000 price level," Peña said.

He urged producers to "fine-tune their marketing plans as the pecan harvest gains momentum in Texas."

Ninety percent of pecan production is consumed through the processed food industry. The market "collapsed" last year after the tragedy of 9-11 and the economic instability that followed it, said Peña. The average of 59.9 cents nationally for all pecans, with Texans receiving 66.7 cents, was the lowest price in five years.

However, things are looking up for the gift pack market so far. "Opening price bids for gift packs have been excellent," said Peña. "Unfortunately, only 5 percent or 6 percent of the crop can go to the gift pack market."

Most all of the pecans being harvested now are for the gift pack market, said Wise.

It will be a couple of weeks before the commercial grade prices will be known, she added.

As far as when the harvest should be complete, Wise said, "It depends on the weather...probably not until after Christmas or the first of the year."