Southern United States Pecan Market

PHOENIX - Dec 11/08 - 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
WESTERN REGION PECAN REPORT.

PECAN PRICES PAID TO GROWERS

ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND WEST TEXAS (via Phoenix, Arizona)

   Deliveries by growers to buying points were light. Demand was moderate.
Prices paid to growers were higher for larger lots and about steady for
smaller lots. Harvesting was fairly light due to recent precipitation as well
as the first hard freeze of the season. Harvesting is expected to increase and
be active during the next week, as opportune weather conditions are expected.
Trade sources estimate harvesting may be as much as 80 per cent complete by
Christmas, dependent upon weather conditions. Weather forecast calls for low
temperatures in the 30s and high temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s in the
next week, with a chance of precipitation next Thursday and slightly below
freezing temperatures next weekend.

   Harvested quality has been good with most sample lots of Western Schley
ranging 56-60% on larger lots and 55-57% on smaller lots.

   Buying interest displayed by end users was moderate for available
offerings. Trading has been fairly slow. Many users are utilizing inventories
on hand or making purchases from other competing locations until supplies from
the Western region increase. Many growers are deferring making marketing
decisions, opting instead to concentrate on harvesting and storing nuts for
grading and later sale. Export interest has been light.

Prices paid to growers from noon Tuesday, December 09, 2008 to noon Thursday,
December 11, 2008 at delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard in-shell.

In lots in excess of 20,000 pounds, Improved varieties mostly Western Schley
56-60% meat yield mostly 58-59% meat yield $2.50-2.75 per point mostly $2.65
per point.

Lots of less than 1000 pounds Improved varieties mostly Western Schley 55-57%
meat yield cents per pound 100-125

NEXT REPORT WILL BE ISSUED TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2008.

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STAT News Service