What Pecan Buyers Want

From Pecan Growers

Jerry Murrack 4/18/15

Where we are located

Fifty Years of Innovation

We know pecans (and pecan equipment)

REDLINE

GRAYLINE

SILVERLINE

Pecan Tree Budding

Caddo, Pawnee, Kanza

Shellers and buyers have had to

rethink how they buy since 2001.

• Pecan industry reported an estimated $60 million loss.

• One company suffered $28 million loss.

• Banks quit financing in-shell pecans.

• More options have opened up for growers since then.

Shelling companies are now being

run more like a business.

More than ever, buyers want growers they can develop a long term relationship with--ones that will supply them with good product year after year.

The things all buyers want: • Good quality • Well filled pecans • No infestations • Reasonable Price.

• Desirable, Stuart and Elliot 48% - 50% kernel

• Western, Wichita, and Pawnee 58% - 62% kernel

• Natives or Seedlings 38% - 42% kernel

• 5% kernel moisture

• No more than 4% amber color kernel and 4% light color kernel is acceptable.

• No Embryo Rot or poorly filled nuts

Buyers pay top dollar for

higher yields

• Three large commercial shellers for natives

• South Georgia Pecan

• Navarro

• San Saba

• 25% - 30% of the nation’s crop are natives

• Native growers should develop relationships with these shellers or custom cleaners that have the relationships, and highlight the positive attributes of native pecans.

Native Pecans

• China Market starts out buying 45–55 count nuts

• Afterward, Chinese like to buy up Westerns at 65–75 count.

• Schedule is driven by Chinese New Year

– Holiday begins between Jan. 21 & Feb. 20 each year

– Celebration last 15 days

– Pecan demand drops afterward.

• Southeast Growers are only ones that consistently produce, harvest, clean and package pecans early enough to get to China before Chinese New Year

China Pecan Market

• South Africa has 55,000 Acres of Pecan Trees Planted

• Plenty of water

• Inexpensive Labor; Minimum wage is $10.00 a day

• Use chemicals to enhance production that U.S. growers cannot

• In the Southern Hemisphere, so harvest will begin at the end of April to the beginning of May.

South Africa Pecans

To be competitive in the international pecan market, we are going to have improve our orchard management skills.

• Irrigation

• Hedging

• Fertilization

• Pest Control

Challenges for the

American Pecan Grower

Upcoming Opportunities

for Pecan Growers

• Oklahoma Pecan Growers Conference, Ardmore

– Jun 11-13

– Orchard tour at Savage’s Hauani Creek Ranch on 13th

• Tri-State Pecan Conf. (AR, LA, MS), Natchez, MS - June 18th-19th

• Texas Pecan Growers Conference, Frisco

– Jul 12-15

– Orchard tour at Hauani Creek Ranch on 15th

Questions?