Southern United States Pecan Market

PHOENIX - Jan 20/09 - 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 moderate. Demand was moderate.
Prices paid to growers were higher for large lots and about steady for small
lots. Harvesting was active on remaining acreage. Weather forecast calls for
low temperatures in the lower 30s to lower 40s and high temperatures in the
lower 60s to lower 70s with a slight chance of precipitation projected for
the next week.

   Harvested quality has been very good with most sample lots of Western
Schley ranging 58-61% on larger lots and 55-57% on smaller lots.

   Buying interest displayed by end users was moderate. Trading was fairly
active. Some growers are delaying making marketing decisions reluctant to
accept offers at current price levels instead opting to grade and store
harvested nuts for later sale. Other growers have established agreements with
users with arrangements made to market all or part of their crop with
provisions made for price, time of delivery, storage and method of payment.
Industry sources report that harvesting is over 95% complete with remaining
acreage in small blocks waiting custom harvesting. Export interest has been
fairly active.

Prices paid to growers from noon Thursday, January 15, 2009 to noon Tuesday,
January 20, 2009 at delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard in-shell.

In lots in excess of 20,000 pounds, Improved varieties mostly Western Schley
58-61% meat yield mostly 59-60% meat yield $2.30-2.50 per point mostly $2.40
per point few higher.

Lots of less than 1000 pounds Improved varieties mostly Western Schley 55-57%
meat yield mostly 56-57% meat yield cents per pound 110-125 mostly 110-115
some low as 100

NEXT REPORT WILL BE ISSUED THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009.

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STAT News Service