Hurricane Helene Pecan Crop Damage Update 02.10.24

Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage to pecan crops in Georgia and across the Southern U.S., striking at a particularly inopportune time as autumn harvests begin. What would normally be a season of gathering ripe pecans has instead turned into a salvage operation for many growers. Early reports are dire, with some farmers losing up to 70% of their older, well-established trees and around 40% of younger ones. This loss represents not just a blow to this year's harvest, but a long-term setback for the pecan industry, as it takes decades for pecan trees to fully mature and become profitable.

Problems for Pecan Farmers

Georgia, the nation's leading pecan producer, generates around 88 million pounds of pecans annually, with the crop valued at approximately $400 million. The state's orchards, along with those in other parts of the South, were directly in the path of Hurricane Helene, leading to widespread destruction. Downed trees, lost nuts, and waterlogged fields have compounded the challenge, as pecan trees, with their shallow root systems, are particularly vulnerable to high winds and saturated soil, making them more prone to toppling. Unlike almonds, which begin bearing nuts within a few years, many varieties of pecans require up to 25 years to reach full maturity, meaning that the destruction of these trees represents a long-term loss for farmers.

This devastation is not an isolated incident. Pecan farmers in Georgia are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018, which resulted in $2.5 billion in agricultural losses. Michael wiped out nearly the entire pecan crop that year and caused severe damage to orchards, leaving many growers with diminished production for years to come. Helene's impact, while still being assessed, is feared to be even more catastrophic than Michael's, putting both the short- and long-term future of the pecan industry at risk.

Issues Down the Line

A poor harvest affects everyone along the supply chain, from workers who rely on seasonal employment during harvest season to exporters who supply pecans to international markets. The global demand for pecans, especially from countries like China, has been growing steadily, which makes the current damage even more problematic as U.S. pecan farmers strive to meet this rising demand. With such significant damage to the crop, pecan prices are likely to rise, affecting both domestic and international markets.