Pecan Nuts

What are Pecan Nuts?

Pecans come from the Carya illinoinensis tree, primarily grown in the southeastern United States. With their smooth, rich taste and tender texture, pecans are a preferred ingredient in pies, snacks, and desserts. Pecan suppliers distribute both raw and processed pecans across global markets, ensuring that this high-demand nut is readily available for food manufacturers and consumers alike. Brazil nuts on the other hand, with their firm texture, offer another option for businesses looking to diversify their nut offerings.

As global interest in diverse and high-value crops grows, pecans continue to play an important role in the supply chains of businesses seeking reliable, premium-grade nuts.

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Types, Varieties & Forms of Pecan Nut

Pecans are commonly available in a range of forms, including whole nuts, halves, pieces, and meal. Varieties like Desirable, Stuart, and Pawnee differ slightly in flavor, size, and oil content, providing options for different culinary uses. In addition to raw pecans, processed forms such as roasted, salted, or candied pecans are widely popular, catering to snack and dessert markets.

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The different size grades for pecans primarily refer to the number of halves per pound, with the larger nuts having fewer halves per pound. Some of the most common pecan size grades, are:

1. FJMH (Fancy Junior Mammoth Halves): This grade includes pecans with approximately 200-250 halves per pound. FJMH pecans are large, visually appealing, and often used in premium applications, such as baking, desserts, and gourmet products.
2. Mammoth Halves: With around 150-200 halves per pound, Mammoth Halves are among the largest pecans available. Their size and high quality make them ideal for decorative use in baked goods, pralines, and premium snack mixes.
3. Junior Mammoth Halves: Slightly smaller than Mammoth, Junior Mammoth Halves typically have 250-300 halves per pound. These pecans are still considered large and work well in a range of applications, from cooking and baking to snacks and retail packaging.
4. Extra Large Halves: This size grade includes pecans with around 300-350 halves per pound. Extra Large Halves are versatile, often used in recipes and snack mixes where slightly smaller but still uniform halves are preferred.
5. Large Halves: With approximately 350-450 halves per pound, Large Halves are popular for bulk use in confectionery, baked goods, and mixed nut products.
6. Medium Halves: These pecans, with about 450-550 halves per pound, are ideal for food processing and are commonly used in granola bars, trail mixes, and chopped nut applications.
7. Small Halves: Small Halves typically contain around 550-650 halves per pound, making them suitable for products that require smaller pieces or ground pecans, such as coatings, toppings, or nut flours.
8. Pecan Pieces: Pieces are further graded by size, from Extra Large Pieces to Small and Granule pieces. These smaller pieces are used in recipes, snack bars, and food products where whole halves are unnecessary. They’re also popular in items like pecan butter or crusts for baked goods.

Each of these grades serves different market needs, with larger sizes often going to premium applications and smaller halves and pieces used in more processed foods.

Harvest Season of Pecan Nut

The pecan harvest season typically occurs between October and December in the United States, with the timing influenced by climate and tree variety. During this period, mature nuts fall from the trees, allowing them to be collected for processing. This seasonality impacts the pecan supply chain, with suppliers planning around peak harvest times to maintain consistent quality and availability.

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Producing Countries

The United States, particularly states like Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico, is the leading producer of pecans, accounting for the majority of the world’s supply. Other pecan-producing countries include Mexico and South Africa, each bringing unique characteristics to the nuts they produce based on local growing conditions.

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Trends & History

Pecans have deep cultural roots in North America, where they were first cultivated by Indigenous peoples. In recent years, U.S. pecan production has shown variability. In 2022, the United States produced approximately 275 million pounds of pecans, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. However, in 2023, production decreased by 4% to 264 million pounds.

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According to Cornell, Georgia and New Mexico are prominent producers, with Georgia producing 126 million pounds in 2022 and New Mexico 79 million pounds. In 2023, New Mexico led with 100 million pounds, followed by Georgia with 88.3 million pounds. Global demand for pecans has been on the rise, driven by their health benefits and versatility in various food products. The U.S. remains a significant consumer, with increasing interest in pecan-based products like nut butters and dairy alternatives. International markets, particularly in Europe and Asia, have also shown growing demand, contributing to the expansion of pecan exports.

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Pecan Nut Wholesale

For businesses in need of high-quality pecans, Nutrada provides a reliable platform to connect with trusted pecan suppliers, exporters, and wholesalers. Whether you require whole pecans, pieces, or specialty varieties, Nutrada makes it easy to source premium pecans to suit your specific business needs. These wholesale pecans are ideal for use in nut mixes, bakery items, pralines, and energy bars.

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Bulk Pecan Nuts

For large-scale manufacturers, bulk pecan nuts provide a versatile ingredient for both sweet and savory applications. Whether you need whole, halves, chopped, or pecan meal, Nutrada helps you compare suppliers based on quality, origin, and processing methods. Some industrial buyers also require roasted or flavored pecans for snack production.

Bulk pecans are commonly supplied in vacuum-sealed 30lb (13.6kg) cartons, multi-layer sacks, or bulk totes. Buying pecan nuts in bulk helps manufacturers and food brands reduce costs, secure stable pricing, and ensure consistent quality across production batches. Pecans are naturally high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, making them a popular ingredient for health-focused and premium food markets. Their extended shelf life of up to 24 months when stored properly in cool, dry conditions ensures long-term usability. However, pecans are more perishable than some other nuts due to their high oil content, requiring strict storage control to prevent rancidity. Additionally, U.S. harvest yields heavily impact pricing, making long-term contracts with suppliers essential for bulk buyers.

Private Label Pecan Nuts

The rising demand for gourmet and health-conscious snacks presents a prime opportunity for private label pecan products. Through Nutrada, businesses can partner with suppliers offering custom packaging options, including resealable pouches, jars, and bulk retail packs in sizes such as 250g, 500g, and 1kg. With private label pecans, you can launch your own branded product line without the overhead costs of production.

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Organic Pecan Nuts

For brands focusing on sustainability and clean-label products, organic pecans are a premium choice. Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, these pecans meet USDA and EU Organic certification standards. Nutrada connects you with organic-certified suppliers offering full traceability from farm to final packaging, ensuring that your organic pecan supply meets the highest quality standards. Common packaging options include moisture-resistant, food-grade bags to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.

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Pecan Nuts Suppliers Database

Nutrada opens the door to high-quality pecan suppliers from the world's top production regions, including Mexico and The United States. Our platform allows you to compare suppliers, verify certifications, and assess production capabilities, all in one place. Sign up today and gain access to a streamlined, transparent B2B sourcing experience.