Pecan Market Update for Texas

AUSTIN - Dec 2/03 - SNS -- Pecan market conditions in the state of Texas are summarized in this report from the USDA.

PECANS - PRICES PAID TO GROWERS
	
TEXAS-North, Central, South, & Eastern Areas

Deliveries by growers were moderate for most areas of South and Central Texas 
and light in other areas. Demand was good for best quality nut offerings 
suitable for inshell and gift pack as well as retail uses and commercial sheller 
use. Prices paid to growers were slightly higher. Harvesting was very active in 
Central Texas. Strong winds in the area has increased nut drop allowing for 
growers to harvest areas more efficiently and completely. Freezing temperatures 
have helped lower moisture content of nuts to acceptable levels. Harvesting in 
South Texas is nearly complete with a few yard tree lots still being delivered 
to users. The recent freeze in North and West Texas is allowing harvest to get 
underway.  Quality of both improved and native varieties has been generally good 
although some lots have displayed degrees of sprouting and embryo rot. Many lots 
of Natives have displayed high unit counts per pound.   

Buying interest by end users was good with most interest centered around good 
quality offerings suitable for inshell use as well as for retail and giftpack 
purposes. Buying interest for commercial shelling use was moderate. Trading 
activity across the state was moderate. Movement of nuts to buying stations 
consisted of improved varieties from managed orchards as well as an increasing 
amount of natives as windy conditions have increased nut drop. 

Grower purchases of Improved varieties on a truckload volume meat cost basis for 
various varieties including Cheyenne, Pawnee, Kiowa, Choctaw and Wichita around 
45% meat yield ranged mostly $1.65-$1.80 per point, around 50% meat yield mostly 
$1.85 per point and around 54% meat yield $1.90-2.03 per point. Natives with 
good quality but high unit count per pound ranged between $1.55-1.65 per point.       

Prices paid to growers (from noon Tuesday, November 25, 2003 through noon 
Tuesday December 02, 2003) at buyers delivery point or F.O.B the orchard cents 
per pound inshell in lots less than 20,000 pounds unless otherwise stated.

Natives: Delivered at store door 38-42% meat yield mostly 38-40% meat yield 
including machine harvested 60-70, small yard tree lots 40-55

Choctaw: Lots yielding around 42-45% meat yield 50-65 mostly 60

Kiowa: Lots yielding around 42-45% meat yield 50-65 mostly 60

Desirable: Deliveries insufficient to establish a market

Cheyenne: Lots yielding 50-52% meat yield 78-81, 52-54% meat yield 100-110

Cape Fear: Lots yielding 52-54% meat yield 70-75

Wichita: Lots yielding 57-58% meat yield 86-87


Next report will be Thursday, December 04, 2003. 

---

STAT News Service

The subscriber version of the article is available by Clicking here