California Has 6,000-Plus Acres of Pecans

The pecan industry in the state is nothing like the almond walnuts and pistachio industries, but it's growing.

Alex Ott is the American Pecan Council’s executive director based in Fort worth, Texas.

He talks about the robust growth of the pecan industry. “We actually just completed a survey and a satellite mapping exercise and we're finding out that the industry is definitely growing,” noted Ott. “We're seeing a major growth in the West, in Arizona and New Mexico.”

“The folks in Georgia are still recovering from a hurricane, and our hearts and prayers go out to those families. They didn't just lose crop, they lost trees, and,that's a lifestyle there,” Ott noted.

“The pecan industry is definitely shifting, it's definitely growing and it’s all for the positive,” said Ott.

An the growth of the industry has a lot to do with the Federal Marketing Order for Pecans, which has a single goal of increasing the consumption of pecans. “We were at a zero to minus 3% growth. And since 2016 it's gone up 12 and a half percent just last year alone, 33 and a half percent. Menu items, menus that actually include pecans, are now up over 30% We are seeing growth and awareness top of the mind. We're really excited with the potential that pecans have, and we're also very excited to share them with all the new consumers that are out there,” said Ott.

The industry want pecan snacking at home and at the office.