Americans bought more pecans online in 2022, with e commerce sales jumping 25% to $250 million, even as retail sales rose 8% to $1.2 billion. At the same time, household penetration sits at 45% nationally, but hits 60% in the South where per capita consumption reaches 1.5 pounds. Here is how those buying habits, processing realities, and export pressures connect across the full pecan industry dataset.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. per capita pecan consumption reached 0.9 pounds in 2022, up 5% from 2021
- Total U.S. pecan disappearance (supply minus exports) was 200 million pounds in 2022/23
- Retail pecan sales in U.S. grew 8% to $1.2 billion in 2022
- U.S. pecan industry generated $4.5 billion economic impact in 2022 including indirect jobs
- Pecan farming supports 22,000 direct jobs across 15 states
- Total U.S. pecan value chain employs 65,000 workers
- U.S. pecan exports to China valued at $150 million in 2022
- Mexico imported 25 million pounds of U.S. pecans in 2022
- Vietnam was top export market with 35 million pounds in 2022/23
- U.S. pecan prices averaged $2.85/lb for improved in-shell 2022/23
- Native pecans wholesale $1.20/lb in-shell early 2023 season
- Shelled pecan prices peaked at $4.50/lb for halves in Dec 2022
- In 2022, the United States produced 268 million pounds of pecans on 152,000 acres with an average yield of 1,763 pounds per acre
- Georgia led U.S. pecan production in 2022 with 133 million pounds from 84,000 acres at 1,580 pounds per acre yield
- Texas produced 68 million pounds of pecans in 2022 on 41,000 acres with a yield of 1,659 pounds per acre
U.S. pecan demand rose in 2022, with higher retail sales and per capita consumption driving $1.2 billion.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption26 stats
01
U.S. per capita pecan consumption reached 0.9 pounds in 2022, up 5% from 2021
02
Total U.S. pecan disappearance (supply minus exports) was 200 million pounds in 2022/23
03
Retail pecan sales in U.S. grew 8% to $1.2 billion in 2022
04
65% of U.S. consumers purchase pecans during holiday seasons
05
Pecans rank as the #1 nut in U.S. snacking per capita at 1.1 ounces monthly
06
U.S. household penetration for pecans is 45%, higher in South at 60%
07
Baking uses 40% of domestic pecan consumption, followed by snacking at 30%
08
Online pecan sales surged 25% in 2022 to $250 million
09
72% of millennials prefer pecans in trail mixes and snacks
10
U.S. confectionery sector uses 15 million pounds of pecans annually
11
Ice cream manufacturers incorporate 5 million pounds of pecans yearly
12
Pecan consumption in salads grew 12% YoY in foodservice 2022
13
Gen Z consumption of flavored pecans up 18% in 2023 surveys
14
55% of U.S. pecans consumed shelled, 45% in-shell
15
Health-conscious consumers drive 30% rise in raw pecan purchases 2018-2022
16
Pecans in breakfast foods consumed by 25% of U.S. households weekly
17
Corporate gifting accounts for 10% of pecan retail volume
18
Vegan market boosts pecan butter sales by 20% annually
19
U.S. pecan nut butter market size $150 million in 2022
20
Candy and chocolate segment uses 25% of shelled pecans
21
Hotel and restaurant pecan use up 10% post-pandemic
22
Organic pecan consumption doubled to 10 million pounds since 2018
23
Pecans in protein bars: 8 million pounds annually
24
Southern U.S. per capita consumption 1.5 pounds vs national 0.9
25
Export-driven supply leaves 60% for domestic use
26
Pecan pie remains top use, 35% of holiday baking
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
Americans are clearly going nuts for pecans, with everyone from millennials snacking on them to health-conscious Gen Zers flavoring their salads, proving that this humble nut has cracked the code on everything from holiday pies to year-round protein bars.
02 · Category
Economic Impact20 stats
01
U.S. pecan industry generated $4.5 billion economic impact in 2022 including indirect jobs
02
Pecan farming supports 22,000 direct jobs across 15 states
03
Total U.S. pecan value chain employs 65,000 workers
04
Georgia pecan industry contributes $1.2 billion to state GDP annually
05
Texas pecan revenue at farm gate $300 million in 2022
06
Processing and shelling adds $1 billion value to raw pecans yearly
07
Pecan exports generated $500 million in foreign exchange for U.S. in 2022
08
Retail markup on pecans averages 150%, boosting wholesale value
09
1,200 pecan growers operate commercially in the U.S.
10
Average pecan farm size 125 acres, with revenue $5,000per acre
11
Shelling plants: 150 facilities process 80% of U.S. crop
12
R&D investment in pecans $10 million annually via checkoff
13
Tourism from pecan trails generates $50 million yearly
14
Insurance payouts for pecan crop losses averaged $20 million/year 2018-2022
15
Pecan-related ag tourism visits 2 million annually
16
Multiplier effect: $2.50economic output per $1 pecan sales
17
New Mexico pecan industry $150 million direct output
18
Labor costs 25% of pecan production expenses
19
Equipment and inputs cost growers $1,200per acre annually
20
Wholesale value of shelled pecans $2.5 billion in 2022
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
While $4.5 billion grows on trees, it's the 65,000 livelihoods rooted in the humble pecan that prove this industry is a mighty oak of economic stability.
03 · Category
Exports22 stats
01
U.S. pecan exports to China valued at $150 million in 2022
02
Mexico imported 25 million pounds of U.S. pecans in 2022
03
Vietnam was top export market with 35 million pounds in 2022/23
04
U.S. pecan exports totaled 138 million pounds in 2022, 52% of production
05
India imported 20 million pounds of U.S. pecans in 2022, up 15%
06
EU countries took 15 million pounds, led by Netherlands at 8 million
07
Canada received 12 million pounds of U.S. pecans in 2022
08
UAE exports destination for 10 million pounds annually
09
Export value per pound averaged $3.50for shelled pecans in 2022
10
Shelled pecans 85% of export volume, in-shell 15%
11
China market share of U.S. exports dropped to 10% in 2022 from 30%
12
New markets like South Korea imported 5 million pounds in 2022
13
Logistics costs rose 20% for pecan exports in 2022 due to shipping
14
U.S. pecan import from Mexico: 50 million pounds in 2022
15
Phytosanitary compliance enables 90% approval rate for exports
16
Container shipments of pecans: 20,000 TEUs annually
17
Duty-free access via USMCA boosted Mexico exports by 10%
18
Asia-Pacific region 60% of U.S. pecan export volume
19
Average export growth 5% CAGR 2018-2022
20
U.S. imports 20% of global supply mainly from Mexico
21
Brazil emerging as exporter with 1,000 tons to U.S. in 2023
22
Digital traceability covers 70% of exported pecans
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
Despite its noble pursuit of global nut domination, the U.S. pecan industry finds itself in a complex shell game—paying top dollar to import Mexican pecans while deftly juggling its own exports to everywhere from Vietnam to the UAE, all while navigating China's retreat and a web of logistics, tariffs, and digital paperwork.
More related reading
04 · Category
Prices22 stats
01
U.S. pecan prices averaged $2.85/lb for improved in-shell 2022/23
02
Native pecans wholesale $1.20/lb in-shell early 2023 season
03
Shelled pecan prices peaked at $4.50/lb for halves in Dec 2022
04
Georgia jumbo in-shell quoted at $3.20/lb mid-2023
05
Export parity prices drove domestic up 15% in 2022
06
Organic shelled pecans $6.50/lb wholesale 2023
07
Retail pecan price inflation 12% in 2022 vs food CPI 8%
08
Texas Ortiz variety $3.80/lb in-shell 2023 average
09
MPCI-insured pecan price election $1.90/lb for 2023 crop
10
Futures market for pecans launched with $3.00/lb benchmark
11
Yield-price inverse: high yields dropped prices 20% in 2021
12
China demand pushed junior mammoth to $4.10/lb shelled
13
Farm gate price Georgia $0.85/lb nutmeat equivalent 2022
14
Retail holiday pecan pie mix $8.50/lb, up 10%
15
Input cost inflation added $0.50/lb to breakeven prices
16
Shelled pecan spread $3.80-$5.20/lb by size grade 2023
17
In-shell price volatility +/-25% seasonal swing
18
Breakeven yield-adjusted price $1.10/lb in-shell Texas
19
Premium varieties 20% price premium over standard
20
Drought reduced supply, lifting prices 30% in NM 2022
21
Wholesale club packs $4.99/lb shelled average
22
U.S. pecan acreage expansion slowed to 1% in 2023 amid high prices
Interpretation
Prices Interpretation
It seems the pecan market has decided that everything from a Georgia jumbo to a Texas Ortiz is now worth its weight in gold, or at least a very expensive pie filling, as prices soared on everything from Chinese demand to drought while farmers desperately tried to keep up with a breakeven point that was always one step ahead.
05 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, the United States produced 268 million pounds of pecans on 152,000 acres with an average yield of 1,763 pounds per acre
02
Georgia led U.S. pecan production in 2022 with 133 million pounds from 84,000 acres at 1,580 pounds per acre yield
03
Texas produced 68 million pounds of pecans in 2022 on 41,000 acres with a yield of 1,659 pounds per acre
04
New Mexico's pecan production reached 40 million pounds in 2022 from 15,500 acres yielding 2,581 pounds per acre
05
Arizona contributed 15 million pounds of pecans in 2022 on 5,800 acres with 2,586 pounds per acre
06
Global pecan production in 2022/23 was estimated at 678,000 metric tons, led by the U.S. with 120,000 metric tons
07
Mexico produced 510,000 metric tons of pecans in 2022/23, accounting for 75% of world production
08
China's pecan production grew to 24,000 metric tons in 2022/23 due to expanded orchards
09
South Africa's pecan output was 22,000 metric tons in 2022/23 from 25,000 hectares
10
Australia's pecan production hit 7,200 metric tons in 2022/23, up 10% from prior year
11
U.S. pecan bearing acres increased to 152,000 in 2022 from 145,000 in 2021
12
Pecan nutmeat yield averaged 52% in U.S. processing facilities in 2022
13
Improved varieties accounted for 60% of U.S. pecan production in 2022
14
Organic pecan production in the U.S. reached 5 million pounds in 2022
15
Georgia's pecan orchards span 140,000 total acres including non-bearing
16
Texas pecan industry supports 10,000 direct jobs in production
17
New Mexico's pecan valley produces 90% of state's output on irrigated lands
18
U.S. pecan seedling trees still comprise 40% of bearing acreage
19
World pecan tree plantings expanded by 15% from 2018-2023
20
Brazil's emerging pecan production reached 1,500 metric tons in 2023
21
U.S. pecan crop value at farm gate was $623 million in 2022
22
Average U.S. pecan orchard age is 25 years with many over 50
23
Irrigation covers 85% of U.S. pecan acreage, critical for yields
24
Pecan production in Oklahoma totaled 8 million pounds in 2022
25
Florida's small pecan output was 1.2 million pounds in 2022
26
California produced 2.5 million pounds of pecans in 2022
27
Louisiana pecan production: 0.5 million pounds in 2022
28
North Carolina: 0.3 million pounds pecans in 2022
29
Missouri pecan output: 0.2 million pounds in 2022
30
U.S. non-bearing pecan acres: 28,000 in 2022
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
America may have invented the pecan pie, but it's clear Mexico now owns the orchard, producing three-quarters of the world's supply while states like Georgia and Texas chase higher yields through irrigation and improved varieties.
06 · Category
Trends22 stats
01
Global pecan acreage forecast 500,000 ha by 2025
02
Climate resilient varieties in 30% new plantings since 2020
03
Mechanized harvest now 95% of U.S. operations
04
Precision ag adoption 40% in pecan orchards 2023
05
Water use efficiency improved 25% via deficit irrigation
06
Export diversification to 80 countries from 50 in 2010
07
Organic certification up 15% YoY in U.S. pecans
08
Plant-based pecan milk market $100M by 2025 projection
09
Scab disease resistance bred into 20 new cultivars
10
Drone scouting covers 70% large orchards >500 acres
11
Sustainability certifications held by 50% exporters
12
Pecan shell biochar production up 200% for carbon credits
13
AI yield prediction accuracy 90% in trials 2023
14
Female growers 15% of U.S. pecan operations 2023 survey
15
E-commerce direct-to-consumer 20% sales growth
16
Zinc nanofertilizers boost yields 18% in trials
17
Pecan wood demand for smoking up 30%
18
Regenerative ag practices on 10% acreage for soil health
19
Frozen pecan storage tech extends shelf life 50%
20
Youth involvement programs train 5,000 annually
21
Hemp intercropping trials yield +10% pecans
22
Blockchain tracking from farm to fork 60% volume
Interpretation
Trends Interpretation
The global pecan industry is sprinting toward a sustainable, high-tech future, cultivating not just 500,000 hectares of climate-resilient, efficiently harvested nuts, but also fostering export diversity, youthful engagement, and surprising innovations—from pecan milk to biochar—all while using drones, AI, and blockchain to ensure that this beloved native crop continues to thrive.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Pecan Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pecan-industry-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Pecan Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pecan-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Pecan Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pecan-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
85 datasets cited across this report
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