Southern United States Pecan Market

PHOENIX - Jan 14/10 - 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 active. Production and delivery
numbers are expected to continue at current levels this week, contingent upon
whether precipitation affects the region, in which numbers would be expected
to decrease. Demand was fairly good. Prices paid to growers were higher.
Harvesting continues in all areas, and is now approximately 80% complete.

Weather forecast calls for low temperatures in the 30s and high temperatures
in the mid 50s to low 60s the next week with a 30 percent chance of
precipitation forecast for Thursday, January 14 2010, and a 10 to 30 percent
chance of precipitation in the first part of next week.

This past week, temperatures ranged from lows in the 10s and 20s, to highs in
the 40s and 50s. There was no measureable precipitation in the area this past
week.

Harvested quality has been generally good with most sample lots of Western
Schley ranging from 53-56% on large lots.

Buying interest by end users has been fairly good. Some growers are delaying
making marketing decisions, opting to concentrate on harvesting and
accumulating supplies in order to dry and grade nuts for later sale. Other
growers, accounting for approximately 90-94% of this years crop, have
established agreements with users with arrangements made to market all or part
of their crop with provisions made for price, time of delivery, shelling and
storage and method of payment. Current projections are that most of this years
crop will be sold and harvested by the end of January or beginning of
February. Export interest to China has been moderate.

Prices paid to growers from noon Thursday, January 07, 2010 to noon Thursday,
January 14, 2010 at delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard.

In lots in excess of 20,000 pounds, Improved varieties mostly Western Schley
53-56% meat yield or better mostly 55% meat yield $3.50 per point, occasional
higher and lower.

Lots of less than 1000 pounds Improved varieties mostly Western Schley 53-55%
meat yield cents per pound in-shell 150, occasional higher and lower depending
on lot size, quality and condition.

NEXT REPORT WILL BE ISSUED THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010

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STAT News Service