Pecan Market Data, Grades and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-09Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Global production

1.3M MT

2023/24

Market value

$3.5B

Producing countries tracked

4

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

3

Trade corridors

3

Latest reviewed evidence

The figures below are USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates for the 2025 United States pecan crop, published in May 2026. They are dated national crop measures—not global production, a current physical offer or a live delivered price; Atlas does not present the annual crop value or average grower return as a current lot price.

United States pecan bearing area

439000

acres · crop year 2025

United States utilized pecan production

284

million pounds · crop year 2025

United States pecans sold shelled

227

million pounds · crop year 2025

United States pecans sold in shell

56.8

million pounds · crop year 2025

In-shell, whole kernel, halves, pieces and processed pecans are separate products

An in-shell lot includes shell color and integrity as well as internal kernel development, cure, moisture and condition. Shelled grades classify kernel development, color, size or count and defects, while halves, pieces, meal, paste and oil add different composition, treatment, usable-yield and end-use requirements. Atlas keeps product form, variety or type, grade, kernel color, size and intended use explicit before comparing lots or evidence.

Grade, kernel color, size, moisture and condition travel with the lot

USDA's July 2024 standards use U.S. Extra Fancy, Fancy, Choice and Standard grades for in-shell and shelled pecans. The in-shell standards address shell color and damage, kernel development and cure, moisture, kernel color and defects. Shelled grades separately specify development, drying, moisture, color, size or count and defect tolerances. A physical record preserves the exact standard, variety or type, grade, kernel color, count or size class, whole-versus-piece composition, shelling yield, moisture, defects, crop year, treatment, packaging, storage and inspection point.

Crop totals do not determine a delivered pecan price

USDA NASS estimated 284 million pounds of utilized United States pecan production from 439,000 bearing acres in 2025, including 227 million pounds sold shelled and 56.8 million pounds sold in shell. Those dated national aggregates span varieties, grades, colors, sizes and product forms. A delivered price still requires the exact form, variety or type, grade, color, size, shelling yield, treatment, crop year, pack, origin, destination, Incoterm, delivery window and current physical evidence.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are in-shell and shelled pecans interchangeable?

No. In-shell grades cover shell and internal-kernel condition, while shelled grades classify kernels by development, drying, moisture, color, size or count and defect tolerances.

What changed in the United States pecan standards in 2024?

USDA replaced the prior grade names with U.S. Extra Fancy, U.S. Fancy, U.S. Choice and U.S. Standard and updated terminology, definitions and defect scoring. A trade record should identify the applicable standard and effective date.

What does the 284 million pound figure represent?

It is USDA NASS's estimate of utilized United States pecan production for the 2025 crop year. It is a dated national crop measure, not global production and not a current physical price.

Which fields make physical pecan offers comparable?

Product form, variety or type, grade and inspection basis, kernel color, count or size class, whole-versus-piece composition, shelling yield, moisture and condition, defect tolerances, treatment, crop year, packaging and net weight, origin, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.