LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The numbers are in and U.S. agricultural officials say New Mexico marked a record year of pecan production in 2019 to lead the nation.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that production in the Southwest state topped out at more than 96 million pounds, up 6% from the previous year.
Georgia followed with 69 million pounds, but many trees there are still recovering from the effects of last year’s Hurricane Michael. Hot, dry weather from late August through October also had negative effects on Georgia’s yield.
Overall, the value of the nation’s pecan crop totaled $469 million, up 14% from the previous season.
In New Mexico, pecans were worth just over $170 million in 2019, down 2% from the previous year. The average yield per acre in the state increased by 120 pounds to finish at 2,100 pounds.
Agricultural officials said yield nationwide also was up, with pecan-producing states averaging nearly 670 pounds per acre.
