South Africa’s 2026 Pecan Season: Solid Quality, Strong Exports

Overview

South Africa’s 2026 pecan harvest is progressing steadily. To gain deeper insight into this season’s production progress, quality performance and export prospects, Global Dried Fruit & Nut Market Information interviewed Mr. RP Campher, agricultural economist of the South African Pecan Nut Producers’ Association.

Harvest Progress and Production Forecast

According to Mr. Campher, South Africa’s pecan harvest season typically runs from May to September each year, with July to September being the export peak. He estimates 2026 production at approximately 55,000 tons.

As of the end of July, processors had received a cumulative 44,636 tons of pecans, of which 24,911.5 tons had been exported in-shell, indicating steady harvest progress and smooth export activity this season.

Export Performance and Quality

Pecan quality this season is excellent. Among exported products, 94% had a kernel yield exceeding 55%, with outstanding kernel fullness and overall quality. This continues a recent trend — over the past four seasons, 90% of South Africa’s total export volume had individual kernel yields above 55%, further confirming its stable advantage in supplying premium pecans.

Size Profile and Market Positioning

Harvested nuts also show an excellent size profile. By grade distribution: Jumbo 5%, Oversize 19%, Extra-large 35%, Large 33%, Medium 8% and Small 1%. Overall, 92% of nuts graded Large or above, highlighting South Africa’s strength in producing premium large-size pecans. In global trade, South Africa mainly supplies three specifications: Large, Extra-large and Oversize. This season’s harvest further consolidates its competitive edge in the large-size pecan segment.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s pecan industry continues to expand steadily. Total planted area has reached approximately 57,000 hectares, with new orchards coming into production and scale still growing. Against a backdrop of slowing global production growth and stagnation in some traditional producing regions, South Africa’s strategic position in the international market has been further enhanced.

Opportunities in the Chinese Market

As the global pecan supply landscape shifts, finding stable and reliable high-quality supply is becoming increasingly critical for core consumer markets such as China. In 2025, China imported approximately 48,000 tons of in-shell pecans from South Africa, reflecting the strong trade ties between the two countries. However, in the view of South Africa’s pecan industry, the potential of the Chinese market extends far beyond this.

At the 19th Nut & Dried Fruit Exhibition and Procurement Conference held in Hefei, China this April, Mr. Cobus van Rensburg, General Manager of the South African Pecan Nut Producers’ Association, discussed opportunities for further expanding the Chinese market during a roundtable session. He noted that demand in the Chinese market for South African pecans is already very strong, with constraints lying mainly on the supply side rather than market demand. Meanwhile, the zero-tariff environment is also favorable for South African pecans, supporting continued demand growth to a certain extent.

Furthermore, the demand structure of the Chinese market is evolving. Growth in traditional in-shell pecan sales has slowed, while kernel sales are becoming a new driver of market growth, reflecting consumers’ increasing demand for more convenient, ready-to-eat products. Mr. Cobus van Rensburg also noted that chili-flavored pecans are gaining popularity in China, offering more opportunities for developing high-value-added products tailored to local tastes.