South Africa’s 2026 Pecan Crop Shows Strong Quality and Export Potential

South Africa’s 2026 pecan harvest is well underway. To gain insights into this season’s production progress, quality performance and export outlook, Dried Fruit and Nuts Report, a social media account associated with Produce Report, spoke with RP Campher, agricultural economist at the South African Pecan Nut Producers Association.

South Africa’s pecan harvest season typically runs from May through September, with July to September representing the peak export period. Campher estimated the 2026 crop at approximately 55,000 metric tons.

By the end of July, processors had received a total of 44,636 metric tons of pecan nuts. Of this volume, 24,911.5 metric tons had already been exported in-shell, indicating steady harvesting progress and smooth export activity during the season.

The quality of the crop received to date has been exceptionally strong. Among exported pecans, 94% achieved a kernel percentage above 55%, reflecting excellent nut fill and overall quality. This strong performance follows a consistent trend over recent years: during the past four seasons, 90% of South Africa’s total export volume has recorded kernel percentages above 55%, demonstrating the country’s ability to consistently supply high-quality pecans.

The crop has also shown a favorable size profile. Based on current receipts, the grade distribution is as follows (rounded figures): jumbo accounts for 5%, oversize 19%, extra-large 35%, large 33%, medium 8% and small 1%. Overall, 92% of the crop has been graded as large and above, highlighting South Africa’s strength in producing premium-sized pecans. In international trade, South Africa primarily supplies three export grades: large, oversize and extra-large. This season’s results further confirm its competitive advantage in the large-size nut segment.

Beyond the current harvest, South Africa’s pecan industry continues to expand steadily. The country’s total planted area has reached approximately 57,000 hectares, with new orchards entering production each year and further expansion underway. This growth comes at a time when global pecan production is slowing, with some traditional producing regions experiencing stagnation or decline, further enhancing South Africa’s strategic position in the international market.

As global pecan supply dynamics continue to evolve, reliable sources of high-quality pecans are becoming increasingly important for key consuming markets such as China. In 2025, China imported approximately 48,000 metric tons of in-shell pecans from South Africa, highlighting the strong trade relationship between the two countries. However, South Africa’s pecan industry believes that the Chinese market still offers considerable untapped potential.

During a roundtable discussion at the 19th Nuts and Dried Fruit Food Exhibition and Sourcing Summit, which was held in Hefei in April, Cobus van Rensburg, general manager of the South African Pecan Nut Producers Association, identified several opportunities for further market development. He noted that demand for South African pecans in China is already very strong, with supply rather than market demand remaining the key constraint. The zero-tariff environment is also favorable for South African pecans and has helped support demand.

At the same time, the structure of Chinese demand is evolving. While traditional in-shell pecan sales are not growing as quickly, kernel sales are emerging as a key driver of market growth, reflecting increasing demand for more convenient and ready-to-use formats. Van Rensburg also noted the growing popularity of chili-flavored pecans in China, pointing to further opportunities for value-added and locally relevant pecan products.

Images: South African Pecan Nut Producers Association