U.S. pecan supplies rose sharply in January as late-season harvest activity boosted receipts, while shipments declined significantly amid weaker demand, according to the latest shipment report from the American Pecan Council (APC).
For January 2026, pecan receipts totaled 73.4 million pounds, an 82% increase compared with December’s 40.4 million pounds. Receipts were also 24% higher than January 2025, when volumes stood at 59.2 million pounds, and 24% above the five-year January average of 59.4 million pounds.
Industry participants said the increase was largely driven by returns from western growing regions, where harvesting typically finishes later in the season. January receipts were reported to be the largest for the first month of the calendar year since the marketing order began.
Season-to-Date Supply
From September through January, total pecan receipts reached 179.5 million pounds, up 9% year over year compared with 164.0 million pounds during the same period last season. However, the figure remains 2% below the five-year average of 184.0 million pounds for the period.
Improved pecans accounted for 87% of receipts, while native pecans represented 5% and substandard nuts made up 8%.
Earlier supply constraints in the season were linked to weather-related challenges, including hurricane damage in parts of the southeastern United States in late 2024 and drought conditions across U.S. and Mexican growing regions during the 2025 season, which affected crop development.
Inventories Increase
Total pecan inventory at the end of January rose to 205.2 million pounds, a 55% increase from December’s 132.5 million pounds.
Inventories were 5% higher than January 2025 levels, though still 8% below the five-year average of 223.9 million pounds.
Shelled pecans accounted for 41% of total inventory, while in-shell nuts represented 59%.
Shipments Fall Sharply
Despite the increase in supply, January shipments totaled 21.6 million pounds, marking a 35% decline compared with the same month last year and 45% below the five-year January average of 39.5 million pounds.
Domestic shipments represented the majority of demand, accounting for 16.0 million pounds or 74.2% of total shipments, while exports reached 5.6 million pounds.
Marketing-Year Performance
Cumulative shipments during the first five months of the 2025–26 marketing year reached 168.9 million pounds, down 12% from 192.1 million pounds last year and 19% below the five-year average.
Domestic shipments totaled 141.6 million pounds, while export shipments reached 27.3 million pounds.
Exports to the Middle East totaled 1.7 million pounds in January, bringing year-to-date shipments to the region to 5.7 million pounds.
Market Outlook
Industry participants noted that commitments—pecans already sold but not yet shipped—reached 225.6 million pounds at the end of January, leaving a net position of −20.3 million pounds, meaning contracted volumes exceed available inventory.
The industry now depends heavily on additional receipts during February and March to meet near-term delivery commitments.
