Challenges in US pecan harvest lead to lower yields and higher prices

Georgia, the leading pecan producer in the United States, has faced challenges with this year’s harvest, resulting in a decline in yields. Several factors contributed to this setback, including severe weather events such as hurricanes and storms alongside insufficient rainfall in certain areas. Meanwhile, strong winds caused the destruction of approximately 100,000 pecan trees, resulting in the loss of an estimated 60–65 million pounds of fruit. Following this devastation, many pecan growers in the affected regions have chosen not to replant their trees. Pecan farmers across several states are grappling with significant losses, estimated at 70 million pounds in Georgia, 75 million pounds in New Mexico and 30 million pounds in Texas. Other states, including Florida, Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina and South Carolina, have also reported substantial reductions in yields. Heavy precipitation in mid-October further hindered harvesting efforts for some growers, ...