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.
World’s Largest Pecan Producer
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.
