By Clint Thompson
Pecan harvests are well underway across South Georgia. What growers are harvesting right now will comprise most of what they pick for the season, believes Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist.
“For a lot of them the volume has not been there; at least it’s less than what they thought when they were looking at the trees earlier this year. Harvest is progressing and I would say most growers, at least those that are able to harvest, not counting the hurricane (Helene) areas, I’d say they’re 75% over the first time,” Wells said. “There probably won’t be a lot of nuts left the second time over. I think we’re getting the bulk of the crop up right now.”
Staying Green
One issue producers are encountering is some pecans are staying green in the trees. They are not opening up like normal, and it is creating additional quality issues that growers will not be able to overcome.
“I’m fearful that a lot of those that are still green and not opening are not going to open. They’re probably going to sprout or may have some embryo rot, because any time after kernel filling is complete and we go through a hot, dry extended period like we’re in now, that’s how problems arise, especially if you haven’t been irrigating,” Wells said.
Adding to the challenges of this harvest season is the reality that market prices are frustratingly low for producers, amid diminished supply and high demand.
Wells noted in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that pecan prices have actually dropped since this year’s harvest season began. This follows significant increases in domestic demand (32% from 2016-2020) and a 28 million-pound estimated reduction in total pecan supply compared to the 2023 crop.