Blog Post
TriEst Ag Group recently hosted Anne Warden, Chief Executive Officer of the American Pecan Council and the American Pecan Promotion Board, for our group of companies. During her presentation, Anne shared valuable insights into the current state of the pecan industry, highlighting the market trends, research, and promotional efforts that are helping strengthen demand both domestically and internationally.
A Strong Foundation for the Pecan Industry
Pecans remain one of the most unique crops grown in North America. They are the only tree nut native to the continent and are commercially produced across 15 states, with Georgia leading U.S. production. The United States, Mexico, and South Africa continue to be the world’s largest pecan-producing countries, while the U.S. crop has remained remarkably consistent at roughly 300 million pounds annually for decades.
For growers, that consistency speaks to the long-term strength of the industry. At the same time, maintaining profitability depends not only on production but also on continued investment in consumer demand and market development.
Driving Demand Beyond the Holiday Season
One of the biggest priorities for the American Pecan Council is expanding when and how consumers purchase pecans. While demand traditionally peaks during Thanksgiving and Christmas, industry leaders are working to position pecans as a year-round snack and ingredient.
Their strategy focuses on four key areas:
- Promoting the nutritional value of pecans
- Creating new consumption occasions throughout the year
- Expanding export opportunities
- Providing resources that strengthen the industry and support growers
These efforts are designed to build long-term demand, helping create stronger markets for producers in the years ahead.
Research Continues to Support Pecan Consumption
Nutrition research is becoming one of the industry’s most valuable marketing tools.
Anne highlighted several ongoing human clinical studies examining the benefits of pecans for gut health, heart health, cognition, diabetes, and skin health. One recent Penn State study found that participants who incorporated pecans into their daily diets experienced an average 17 percent reduction in cholesterol.
As more research becomes available, growers stand to benefit from stronger consumer confidence and increased demand driven by science-backed health messaging.
Encouraging Market Trends
Several positive market indicators were shared during the presentation.
Retail sales continue to climb, with pecan category sales increasing by nearly 7 percent, while e-commerce campaigns have generated more than 33 percent new buyer volume. Export prices have also strengthened significantly since 2020, reflecting growing global demand for premium-quality pecans.
The industry is also investing in partnerships with restaurants and foodservice providers to introduce pecans to consumers in new ways, creating additional demand beyond retail grocery sales.
Looking Beyond U.S. Borders
International markets continue to represent an important opportunity for pecan growers.
Because pecans are often viewed as a premium or even “exotic” nut in many countries, marketing efforts are focused on regions with strong purchasing power, including the United Kingdom, Germany, India, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Expanding exports helps diversify demand and supports long-term market stability for U.S. growers.
Production Challenges Remain
No agricultural industry is without its challenges.
During the discussion, Anne explained that drought conditions have contributed to reductions in pecan acreage in parts of Mexico. The conversation served as a reminder that weather, water availability, and changing environmental conditions continue to influence production worldwide and reinforce the importance of efficient orchard management.
Looking Ahead
The outlook for the pecan industry remains positive as investments in nutrition research, retail promotion, export development, and consumer education continue to build demand. For growers, understanding these market drivers can help inform long-term decisions and provide confidence in the future of the industry.
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