Southern United States Pecan Market

PHOENIX - Jan 3/08 - SNS -- Pecan market conditions and prices were updated for Arizona, New Mexico And West Texas in this report from the USDA.

Provided by:  Fruit and Vegetable Market News,
              Federal-State Market News Service, USDA.


Phone: (602) 514-7210    Fax: (602) 514-7215


IX FV140
PHOENIX PECAN REPORT.

---ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND WEST TEXAS

   Deliveries by growers to buying points were moderate last week as growers
continue to concentrate on harvesting and storing nuts. Deliveries this week
were moderate. Demand was moderate. Prices paid to growers were lower.
Harvesting was very active in all areas as weather conditions were favorable.
   Low temperatures this past week ranged from freezing temperatures to the low
40s. The forecast for the next week calls for low temperatures from the mid 30s
to the low 40s with a 30 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday and Monday.
   Harvested quality has been variable, with some large lots showing a higher
degree of defects grading as low as 49% meat yield, while best quality lots have
graded as high as 58% meat yield. Harvested quality in lots of less than 1000
pounds have been variable, grading from as high as 58% meat yield, to as low as
42% meat yield. Varying degrees of kernel discoloration, embryo rot and
sprouting have been exhibited in many lots.
   Buying interest displayed by end users has been fairly good for best quality
offerings and fairly light for others. Export interest has been good. Trading
was moderate although users continue to utilize inventories on hand or make
purchases from other competing locations until supplies from western areas
increase while growers defer making marketing decisions, opting instead to
concentrate on harvesting and storing nuts for later sale.

Prices paid to growers from Thursday afternoon, December 27, 2007 to noon
Thursday, January 3, 2008 at delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard. In lots in
excess of 20,000 pounds, Improved varieties mostly Western Schley 52-56% mostly
54% meat yield $2.25-2.30 per point, occasional higher and lower.

Lots of less than 1000 pounds Various varieties mostly Western Schley 51-56%
mostly 52-54% meat yield cents per pound inshell according to quality 50-100
cents per pound.

NEXT REPORT WILL BE ISSUED TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008

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STAT News Service