2010 Pecan Crop Report – Pecan Prices to Increase

Two major factors are pushing pecan prices to record levels this fall.  The first factor is a slightly off year of production where the crop is estimated to be about 7% (20 million pounds) down from last year.  The second factor is the huge demand for pecans in China.

Pecan demand in China increased dramatically in 2007 when rising walnut prices made pecans a relative bargain.  Shipments to the world’s largest country doubled to 25 million pounds, up from 9.2 million the year before.

A record 44 million pounds were shipped to China in 2008 while 2009 shipments soared passed 88 million pounds.

Despite higher prices, the increasingly affluent Chinese middle class still consider pecans a bargain compared with the native hickory nut.  U.S. exporters expect another strong year of shipments to China, which will affect both the retail and foodservice industries.

Accordingly, effective December 1, 2010 Stapleton-Spence Packing Co. has adjusted their pecan pricing to reflect the increases in costs of pecan halves and pecan medium pieces.

Please contact your Stapleton-Spence representative with any questions you may have concerning our price changes.