Pecans — Uniquely American Nuts

摘要

Versatile pecans present an opportunity for increased sales. The United States is a world leader in pecan production, with as much as 80 percent of the world's production. The top pecan producing states are Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Alabama, Louisiana and Oklahoma. In some years, Georgia produces as much as half of the U.S. pecan output. Pecan availability fluctuates from year to year because pecan crops fluctuate from short to long. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, 2002 total pecan production (in thousands of pounds) was 130,720. In 2003 the figure rose to 202,900. The current estimate for 2004 is 127,650. The 2004 figure, an off-year crop, has been also adversely affected by hurricane damage to crops in Louisiana, Georgiaand Alabama.