China Importing More Pecans

LAS CRUCES, New MexicoThe market for golden, shelled pecans has traditionally been confined to the United States. However, increased demand over the last few years has been coming from China, where people consider the nuts exotic. China has purchased 100 million pounds of U.S.-grown pecans already during 2010. The entire U.S. harvest for 2009 was 290.5 million pounds.

This demand from China has elevated prices for pecans and gives growers a more-diversified market for their crops.

In addition to their international status as an exotic nut, the health benefits and flavor of pecans have been cultivating further overseas demand.