USDA: Pecan production up 18% from 2019

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released Jan. 21 the yearly Pecan Production Report covering the U.S. pecan production, value and acreage of pecans produced in the U.S. in 2020.

Utilized production in 2020 totaled 302 million pounds, up 18% from 2019. Bearing acreage was estimated at 402,000, up 2% from the previous year. The average yield was 752 pounds per acre, up 105 pounds from the previous year. In 2020, the value of the crop totaled $399 million, down 15% from the previous season with an average annual price of $1.32 per pound.

Improved variety pecan production, at 288 million pounds, increased 25% from the previous year. Improved variety pecans accounted for 95% of the United States total pecan production. Native and seedling variety production totaled 14.2 million pounds, down 42% from 2019. Georgia had the highest utilized production (in-shell basis) at 142 million pounds, followed by New Mexico at 77.0 million pounds (in-shell basis).

Reports indicated pecan prices on the farm have fallen in the last couple of years with China largely sitting on the sidelines due to increased tariffs on tree nuts such as pecans. Domestic consumption has been the demand driver since the onset of the trade dispute.

Even though pecan production has risen by volume, the value of the crop dropped in 2020, showing the lowest value crop in nearly a decade, according to the report.