Southern United States Pecan Market

PHOENIX - Dec 2/03 - SNS -- Pecan market conditions and prices were updated for Arizona, New Mexico And West Texas in this report from the USDA.

PECAN REPORT.

---ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND WEST TEXAS
   Deliveries by growers to buying points were very light with most deliveries 
in small lot quantities. Demand was fairly light. Most growers in Southern New 
Mexico began active harvesting last week as low temperatures dipped to the lower 
20s over several nights. Growers were generally accumulating supplies for later 
sale allowing for nuts to dry to acceptable moisture levels. Harvesting in other 
areas is expected to increase this week.   
   The weather last week was dry with clear skies and highs in the 60s to 70s 
and lows in the 20s to 40s, ideal for harvesting.  Weather forecast for the next 
ten days calls for dry conditions.  
   Early harvested quality has been generally good with sample lots of Western 
Schley generally ranging 54-55% meat yield on larger lots and 50-53% meat yield 
on smaller lots. Quality is expected to be variable though due to restrictions 
on water use for irrigation as drought conditions continue in the Western 
production areas.     
   Buying interest by end users has been moderate for commercial seller use and 
late season gift pack and retail inshell use. Trading has been very limited as 
most users continue to utilize inventories on hand accessing needs, or making 
purchases from other growing areas while waiting for harvest activity to 
increase and more supplies to be available from the Western region. Growers 
generally are delaying making marketing decisions opting to concentrate on 
harvesting and accumulating supplies inorder to dry and grade nuts for later 
sale.   

Prices paid to growers from Tuesday afternoon, November 25, 2003 to noon 
Tuesday, December 02, 2003 at delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard. 

In lots in excess of 20,000 pounds mostly truckload lots of 40,000 pounds or 
more Improved varieties mostly Western Schley 54% meat yield or better mostly 
54-55% meat yield. 
No sales reported. 

Lots less than 5000 pounds Various varieties cents per pound inshell 50-53% meat 
yield few sales 80-90  
FIRST REPORT OF SEASON.

 
 

 
 

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STAT News Service

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