Pecan farmers prepare for upcoming harvest, New Mexico expected to lead US in production

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico is expected to lead the U.S. in pecan production this year as growers prepare for the upcoming harvest.

The U.S. Agriculture Department’s statistics service says production in the Southwest state is forecast at a record high 97 million pounds. That would mark a 6% increase over 2018.

Production in Georgia is expected to hit about 76 million pounds, followed by Texas at 47 million pounds.

Pecan production in the United States overall is expected to increase this year by more than 20%, with growers harvesting an estimated 281 million pounds.

New Mexico agricultural officials say they’ve been working to build relationships with pecan buyers in other countries amid a tariff war with China.

Georgia, traditionally the United States' largest pecan-producing state, saw its crop crippled by Hurricane Michael in 2018, cutting production by almost half.

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