Pecans are among the top-tier nuts in the world. Their rich, buttery, and nutty flavor makes it them our favorite nut. Apart from the great flavor and taste, pecans have an impressive nutrient profile, which makes them healthy and wholesome. Many US states produce pecans, so let us find out how many and which states produce the most pecans.
The US is the world’s largest pecan producer, responsible for 80% of the world’s pecans, which is between 200 and 300 million tons each year. As the US has a history of growing and selling pecans since the 18th century, it does not comes as a surprise that the US is leading the production of pecans in the world.
Which States Of The Us Produce Pecans?
As the largest pecan producer, the US grows pecans in fifteen states. The following states are where you’ll find the most pecan farms:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
All of these states take pride in growing a large harvest of pecans. Alabama and Arkansas named the pecan as their official health nut, whereas Texas named the pecan tree as the official state tree.
Which State Produces The Most Pecans?
Among the states mentioned above, Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia harvest most of the pecans in the US. Georgia is the largest pecan producing state. Among fifteen pecan producing state, Georgia accounts for one-third of pecan harvest in the US which is nearly 88 million pounds of pecan. There are over six thousand pecan trees in all of the pecan orchards and farms in Georgia.
The harvest season for pecans in Georgia is from October to December. Pecans go particularly well with Georgia’s another staple that is apple, whether its desert or salads, pecans and apple make a good combination.
Where Are The Most Pecan Orchards Found In Georgia?
While you can find Pecan orchards in many parts of the states, most of the Georgia’s pecan industry is in its southwest region. Most of the pecan industries in Georgia are in the counties surrounding Albany, especially Mitchell and Dougherty counties.
How Did The Pecan Market In Georgia Develop?
Pecan orchard in these areas initially began on plantations that were a part of real estate ventures in the early 20th century. These were the small areas of lands in which the pecan trees were planted. Some of these were sold as small homes while others as small farms.
It was by 1920 that the pecan market in Georgia experienced a boom. By the 1950s, the growth and selling of pecans flourished commercially. This meant that there was the development of new and better methods for production and storage. The value of pecan as a health nut and its uses in many desserts and savory foods also increased. There was the development of many different varieties of pecans which lead to more demand and production.
Fun fact: In 1995, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games used wood from pecan trees in Georgia to make the handle of torches for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The torch made from pecan wood was carried in relays from Athens, Greece to the US, and then all around the country.
Among the many states of the US, Georgia is the largest producer of the pecans. It produces about one-third of the pecans in the United States. The pecan market in Georgia flourished in the later 20th century as there were new developments in the harvest method, and so more supply and demand increased.
Pecan Companies in Texas
FAQs
Among the many states of the US, Georgia is the largest producer of the pecans. It produces about one-third of the pecans in the United States.
What city is known for pecans? ›
San Saba Texas is known as the Pecan Capital of the World. In the late 1800s, San Saba resident Edmund E. Risien planted a commercial pecan nursery and began conducting pollination experiments and budding and grafting pecans.
What state has the most pecan pie? ›
Did you know that Georgia has led in pecan production since the 1800s? Yep! In fact, Georgia is the nation's largest pecan supplier. That is approximately one third of the United States' production, which is enough to make over 176 million pecan pies.
Who is the second largest producer of pecans in the world? ›
Mexico is the second largest world producer of pecans. Mexico's pecan production comes primarily from improved varieties.
What is the pecan capital of the United States? ›
San Saba Texas | Welcome to the Pecan Capital of the World.
What states are pecans native to? ›
The tree is cultivated for its seed primarily in the U.S. states of Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas, and in Mexico.
Who is the biggest consumer of pecans? ›
United States Is The Biggest Consumer Of Pecan
Along with the higher production, the United States is one of the largest pecan consumers globally. Furthermore, pecan consumption is mainly concentrated in states in the country, such as California, Florida, New York, Texas, and New Jersey.
Where do pecans grow best? ›
Pecans grow best in warm, humid climates. In cool climate pecans may not produce nuts, and may suffer from coral spot.
Where are the best pecans in the world? ›
In fact this city is also known as the pecan capital of the world due to the level of quantity and quality of pecans that is produced here. San Saba Pecans set the standard. Regardless of the form you want your pecan to be in, San Saba, Texas is the perfect place to go in order to get quality pecans.
What is the number 1 pie in America? ›
The clear winner for the United States as a whole was (not surprisingly) apple pie with more than 27% of sales going to the traditional flavor.
Why is pecan pie famous in Texas? Texas pecan pie has been a tradition for more than 100 years, and the pie was officially named the state dessert in 2013. Along with Georgia and New Mexico, Texas is one of the nation's top three pecan-producing states.
What state is known for blueberry pie? ›
In 2011, the Maine State Legislature designated blueberry pie, made with wild Maine Blueberries, as the official state dessert. Wild blueberries are harvested from late July to early September in Maine.
Where is the largest pecan orchard? ›
Stahmann Farms owns the world's largest pecan orchard, located south of the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Alfalfa, cotton, chile, onions and corn are other important cash crops grown in the Mesilla Valley.
How much can 1 pecan tree produce? ›
To know how much a pecan tree can produce, it is necessary that one understand how much an acre can produce. The cost of nurturing and growing a pecan tree for up to 7 years is \$63. Now when it is harvest time, a pecan tree can produce up to 50 pounds of pecans. The average retail cost for pecans is \$3 per pound.
Why are pecan prices so high? ›
Why Are Pecans Expensive? Pecans are grown in many countries, but like a warmer climate with just the right number of chill hours each winter. Pecan trees take 10 years to really mature and produce a real crop. They require a good deal of water, sun, and chill hours.
What country produces 80% of the world's pecan crop? ›
Today, the U.S. produces between 80-90% of the world's pecans, with an annual crop of about 300 million pounds. Outside of the U.S. there is some production in Mexico and a growing production in South Africa.
Where do the best pecans come from? ›
Beyond that, Georgia is the home of the National Nut Growers Association, which was established in Albany in 1901. Georgia pecans are the best you'll find anywhere.
