United States: Pecan producers face losses of up to 100% after Helene

Published 2024년 10월 9일

Tridge summary

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to the pecan industry in Georgia, the largest producer of the nut in the US, with an annual output of 80 to 150 million pounds. The storm's powerful winds and heavy rain mainly affected the pecan-growing regions, resulting in the loss of many trees, some of which were over 30 years old. Recovery from this damage is expected to take several years, as it involves replanting and waiting for the new trees to bear fruit. The storm underscored the importance of hedge pruning, a cultivation practice that had been introduced after Hurricane Irma and had been shown to reduce tree damage by 60%.

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

Original content

Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States, causing fatalities and significant agricultural losses. One of the hardest hit states was Georgia, which saw its pecan industry significantly impacted. Lenny Wells, professor of horticulture and horticultural extension specialist at the University of Georgia, spoke to Fruit Portal about the state’s pecan industry, Hurricane Helene losses, and how hedge trimming helped save many trees. Georgia is the largest pecan-producing state in the United States, with annual volumes ranging from 80 to 150 million pounds. Most of this production takes place in the southern half of the state, an area known as “the fall line” or “the Georgia coastal plain region,” according to Wells. “Most of the areas where pecans are grown are arid regions, and you typically only see two or three varieties,” Wells explains. “In Georgia, we grow about 20 varieties, some of which are older and are being phased out as we plant ...

Source: MXfruit