Pecan Market Size and Share
Pecan Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The pecan market reached USD 0.95 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 1.24 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.60%. The market growth is driven by increasing scientific evidence of heart health and cognitive benefits, the distinctive taste of pecans, and their applications in traditional baking and plant-based beverages. The development of commercial pecan orchards in South America, South Africa, and Australia helps mitigate supply risks from weather-related disruptions in the United States and Mexico. E-commerce channels are expanding the global distribution of premium and processed pecan products. The market is increasingly dominated by vertically integrated processors who focus on branded product development, particularly in dairy alternatives and flavored snacks that align with clean-label and sustainability requirements.
Key Report Takeaways
- By geography, North America held 47% of global demand in 2024, while the Asia-Pacific region is growing at a 7.1% CAGR through 2030.
Global Pecan Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising consumer awareness of cardiometabolic health benefits | +1.2% | North America, Europe, global expansion | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Growing use in bakery and confectionery formulations | +0.9% | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Surge in plant-based dairy and snack launches using pecans | +1.5% | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Global supply diversification enhances market stability | +0.7% | South America, Australia, global | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Pecan’s strong environmental benefits support ESG-focused sourcing | +0.6% | North America, Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Up-cycling of pecan press-cake into high-protein ingredients | +0.4% | Brazil, United States | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Rising Consumer Awareness of Cardiometabolic Health Benefits
Research from the University of Georgia demonstrated that consuming 68 g of pecans daily reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels and decreased post-meal triglycerides in adults with cardiometabolic risk factors. A study at Penn State University found that participants consuming 57 g of pecans daily improved their adherence to Dietary Guidelines by 17% without increasing body weight. Research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science revealed that pecan-containing meals enhanced attention, cognitive processing speed, and memory performance compared to meals high in saturated fats. Additionally, epidemiological research in Korea indicated that regular nut consumption was associated with lower rates of abdominal obesity and reduced triglyceride levels. These scientific findings have increased support among healthcare professionals, contributing to expanded household consumption and strengthening pecans' position in premium food markets.
Growing Use in Bakery and Confectionery Formulations
Pecans rank highest in antioxidant capacity among tree nuts according to USDA tests, making them suitable for clean-label baking applications as alternatives to synthetic antioxidants in pastries and cereals.[1]USDA, “Antioxidant Ranking of Tree Nuts,” usda.gov The nuts contain 65-70% oil by kernel weight, which improves mouthfeel and moisture retention during baking. Pecan flour and cold-pressed butter enable manufacturers to produce gluten-free sponge cakes and vegan caramel fillings while maintaining traditional flavor profiles. The availability of shelf-stable diced pecans supports industrial production requirements, while whole halves are used in premium tarts and chocolate bark. The growth of artisanal bakeries in Europe and Asia, combined with social media recipe sharing, has increased the popularity of pecan-based desserts, driving demand for raw kernels in the pecan market.
Surge in Plant-Based Dairy and Snack Launches Using Pecans
PKN dominates the North American shelf-stable pecan milk market, with products priced at USD 5.99 per quart. While this price exceeds almond and oat milk alternatives, consumers prioritize taste over cost. Oklahoma State University is developing pecan yogurt and ice cream products with a lower glycemic index, targeting diabetic and lactose-intolerant consumers.[2]Oklahoma State University, “Novel Pecan Dairy Alternatives,” okstate.edu The use of broken kernel pieces in beverage production reduces ingredient costs, enabling competitive pricing despite inflation. Snack manufacturers offer pecans with umami, truffle, and chili-lime flavors, positioning them as protein-rich chip alternatives for Generation Z consumers. These product innovations expand pecan consumption beyond traditional holiday baking and increase the market presence in functional food aisles traditionally occupied by almonds and cashews.
Global Supply Diversification Enhances Market Stability
Mexico accounted for 44% of global pecan output in 2025, offsetting reduced volumes from hurricane-affected regions in Georgia and New Mexico. Brazil's harvest period from March to May complements Northern Hemisphere production timing, providing snack manufacturers with continuous kernel availability throughout the year. South Africa's annual planting of 3.5 million trees between 2010-2018 generated 14,000 metric tons of pecans and sequestered 3,477 megatons of biomass annually. Australia and Argentina contribute supplementary volumes that help European importers manage currency and freight-rate risks. The diversification of supply sources enables long-term contracts with multi-origin provisions, which stabilizes ingredient prices and promotes forward-buying practices among confectionery manufacturers in the pecan market.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm-gate price volatility amid weather-driven yield swings | –1.8% | US Southeast, Mexico | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Marketing spend gap versus almonds and walnuts | –1.2% | United States, global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Skilled-labor shortages during harvest season | –0.9% | United States, Mexico | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Fungicide-resistant disease outbreaks | –0.7% | Southeast US | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Farm-Gate Price Volatility Amid Weather-Driven Yield Swings
Hurricane Helene damaged 48,000 acres in Georgia, reducing the 2024 crop by 36 million lb and increasing half prices to USD 13.23 per kg. The desirable variety's alternate bearing cycles decrease output by up to 60% in off-years, intensifying the impact of weather events. Mexico's production declined 3.7% to 69,000 metric tons in 2024, causing global supply to fall 15% below expectations and triggering increased purchases by Chinese importers. Market volatility affects long-term ingredient contracts and compels snack manufacturers to develop blended-nut formulations, reducing pure pecan content in their product lines.
Marketing Spend Gap Versus Almonds and Walnuts
The United States Department of Agriculture's Regional Agricultural Promotion Program allocated USD 1 million for pecans, USD 10 million for almonds, and USD 7 million for walnuts. According to the American Pecan Board, a federal marketing order could generate USD 8 million annually, though it awaits approval. The limited funding for promotional campaigns restricts pecan visibility, particularly in international markets, where almonds have established a reputation in skincare products and walnuts are recognized for cognitive health benefits. This funding disparity may reduce pecan inclusion in global coffee chains and bakery franchises, affecting the market's growth potential.
Geography Analysis
North America accounts for 47% of global pecan demand in 2024, supported by concentrated production in Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas. Regional processors maintain efficient supply chains, enabling timely deliveries to major bakery chains and grocery retailers. Traditional Southern cuisine, particularly pecan pie and pralines, provides consistent domestic demand. The market is expanding beyond seasonal consumption as health-focused marketing promotes pecans for daily snacking and plant-based milk alternatives.
Asia-Pacific demonstrates strong growth potential with a projected 7.1% CAGR through 2030. Chinese consumers incorporate pecans into Lunar New Year gift-giving traditions. Regional processors adapt products with local flavors, including soy sauce and green tea variants. In Australia and Japan, health-conscious consumers purchase raw pecan halves for breakfast foods and smoothies. Digital platforms like Tmall facilitate direct access to US brands, reducing distribution steps and enhancing product authenticity verification.
Europe shows consistent growth as German, Dutch, and Spanish consumers incorporate pecans into breakfast products and specialty breads. German retailers prioritize organic-certified products, particularly in dedicated sustainable food sections. The 2024 South African supply constraints led European buyers to establish long-term agreements with US and Mexican suppliers. Middle Eastern and African retailers develop pecan-based snack products, supported by US export promotion programs targeting 28% market share growth.
Recent Industry Developments
- June 2025: Diamond of California launched Snack Pecans, its first dedicated pecan snack product in the company's 100-year history.
- June 2025: Cafe Delhi Heights partnered with American Pecans to introduce the 'American Pecans Superfoods Festival.' The culinary event runs from June 15 to July 15 across all Cafe Delhi Heights locations in India.
- February 2025: PKN expanded its product line by introducing PKN Zero, a pecan-based milk alternative. The new product offers a non-dairy milk with a roasted pecan flavor and buttery texture, containing no gums, added sugars, or additives.
- June 2024: Snack and Bakery reported USD 5.2 billion snack-nut sales, with flavored pecans offsetting category decline.
Research Methodology Framework and Report Scope
Market Definitions and Key Coverage
Our study defines the global pecan market as all in-shell and shelled pecans that reach end users in food manufacturing, retail snacking, food-service, and household channels. Forms such as raw, roasted, chopped, or candied are included when pecan remains the main ingredient.
Scope exclusion: derivative products (oils, flours, blended nut mixes with <50 % pecan) lie outside this assessment.
Segmentation Overview
- By Geography (Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value), Import Analysis (Volume and Value), Export Analysis (Volume and Value), and Price Trend Analysis)
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- Germany
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- France
- Russia
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- Australia
- India
- South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Middle East
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Africa
- South Africa
- Egypt
- North America
Detailed Research Methodology and Data Validation
Primary Research
Mordor analysts interviewed growers in Georgia and Chihuahua, shellers in Texas, brokers in Rotterdam, and R & D leads at confectionery and dairy plants across Asia-Pacific. Conversations clarified shell-out ratios, producer margins, seasonal demand pulses, and likely adoption of pecan-rich plant-based SKUs, allowing us to validate desk findings and adjust contentious assumptions.
Desk Research
We collated time-series data on tree-nut output, acreage, and trade from sources such as USDA-NASS, FAOSTAT, UN Comtrade, and the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council, then cross-checked price trends with American Pecan Council releases, IMF commodity dashboards, and customs tariffs. Company filings, investor decks, and news archived on Dow Jones Factiva and D&B Hoovers helped size processor revenues, while Volza shipment records indicated cross-border flow shifts. These examples illustrate the caliber of open and subscription datasets mined; many additional outlets were reviewed to round out the evidence base.
Market-Sizing & Forecasting
A unified top-down and bottom-up build was adopted. Production volumes were netted for post-harvest loss, export allocation, and stock variation to construct an apparent domestic consumption pool. Sampled processor sales (average selling price x volume) acted as a bottom-up reasonableness check. Key model drivers include bearing acreage expansions, mean yield per hectare, per-capita tree-nut intake, average export parity price, share of pecans entering ingredient channels, and tariff movements. Multivariate regression with scenario analysis projects these variables through 2030. Where granular bottom-up gaps emerged, we interpolated using region-specific price-elasticity bands discussed with experts.
Data Validation & Update Cycle
Every iteration is stress-tested through variance screens, peer reviews, and a last-minute news sweep before sign-off. Reports refresh annually and may receive mid-cycle tweaks if weather shocks, policy shifts, or trade disputes materially alter fundamentals.
Why Mordor's Pecan Benchmark Commands Reliability
Published figures vary because firms differ on whether they count derivative products, apply farm-gate or retail pricing, or refresh inputs after supply shocks.
Key gap drivers include competitor studies that fold pecan oil and flour into totals, apply optimistic processed-product ASPs, or carry forward pre-pandemic growth rates without recalibrating yield setbacks. In contrast, we limit scope to nut kernels, tie ASPs to customs data, and update acreage and tariff files every season.
Benchmark comparison
| Market Size | Anonymized source | Primary gap driver |
|---|---|---|
| USD 0.95 B (2025) | Mordor Intelligence | - |
| USD 2.02 B (2024) | Global Consultancy A | Includes pecan oil & flour; uses retail prices; limited post-2023 yield data |
| USD 0.88 B (2025) | Regional Consultancy B | Excludes food-service channel; applies fixed currency base; infrequent forecast refresh |
| USD 2.41 B (2024) | Industry Publisher C | Blends shelled and value-added snacks; aggressive CAGR from limited interviews |
Taken together, the comparison shows that Mordor's disciplined scope selection, frequent data refresh, and cross-method corroboration deliver a balanced, transparent baseline that decision-makers can trace back to clear variables and repeatable steps.
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current pecan market size and growth outlook?
The pecan market size stands at USD 0.95 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 1.24 billion by 2030 at a 5.6% CAGR.
Which region consumes the most pecans?
North America leads, accounting for 47% of global volume in 2024, to entrenched culinary traditions and proximity to major orchards.
How does weather affect pecan supply?
Events like Hurricane Helene wiped out one-third of Georgia’s 2024 crop, driving prices above USD 13.23 per kg and highlighting supply-side volatility.
Why is marketing investment a restraint for pecans?
USDA promotional grants allocated only USD 1 million to pecans, far less than almonds’ USD 10 million, limiting global consumer awareness.
Are pecans environmentally sustainable compared with other nuts?
Yes. South African studies show 972.222 t CO₂ sequestered for every 7,000 metric tons kernels, and pecan trees produce for 80 years, lowering replanting emissions.
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