South African pecans are rising rapidly, seizing the Chinese market to cope with trade challenges

Published May 19, 2025

Tridge summary

The South African pecan industry has seen substantial growth, with production increasing fourfold in 10 years to reach 37,157 tons in 2024, 90% of which will be exported to China. The industry's success is attributed to favorable planting conditions, increasing production, and stable political relations with China. The climate in South Africa is ideal for pecan cultivation, particularly in the Northern Cape, Free State, and North West Provinces. The harvest season lasts from May to September, allowing South African pecans to be available in the Chinese market during peak demand. Over 90% of South African in-shell pecans are exported to China, making it the industry's core export destination. However, the industry faces challenges due to US-China trade tensions, which could negatively impact consumer purchasing power and supply. To mitigate these challenges, South African exporters are focusing on building long-term, stable relationships with Chinese buyers.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

During the exhibition, the Global News of Nuts and Dried Fruits interviewed a representative of SAPPA to gain an in-depth understanding of the current status and prospects of the industry. In recent years, the South African pecan industry has developed rapidly. With ideal planting conditions, steadily increasing production, stable political relations with China, and emphasis on the export market, South African pecans are increasingly favored by Chinese importers. Production has increased fourfold in 10 years, and the listing season coincides with the peak of Chinese demand In 2024, the total production of South African pecans will reach 37,157 tons, of which 33,708 tons will be exported in shell, accounting for more than 90% of the total production. This production has increased significantly compared to 9,861 tons in 2014, and has increased nearly fourfold in ten years, highlighting the strong growth momentum of the industry. South Africa's climate is hot and dry in summer ...

Source: Foodmate