Argentina: Strengthening Southern Hemisphere’s Pecans

Argentina has approximately 10,000 hectares of pecan orchards, expanding by 700 to 900 hectares annually. In 2023, these orchards produced 2,500 to 3,000 tons of pecans, with ambitions to reach 10,000 tons within five years. The orchards, spread across diverse ecosystems, benefit from conditions similar to Georgia, USA, and the western United States or northern Mexico. These regions mainly feature humid areas with annual rainfall between 1,000 and 1,500 millimetres.

Diversification is the key driver behind Argentina’s pecan industry. The challenges faced by blueberry and citrus growers—such as competition from Peru and lemon oversupply—have led them to invest in pecans. With increasing demand and few Southern Hemisphere suppliers, pecans present a lucrative alternative. The crop’s resilience and market potential make it a strategic choice for producers seeking stability and growth.

The past four years have seen Argentine pecan production fluctuate due to climatic challenges. Droughts in 2021, 2022, and 2023, along with inadequate irrigation systems and heatwaves, significantly impacted productivity. The 2023-2024 season faced further setbacks from extreme weather events like wind, torrential rains, and hail, especially during the late El Niño phenomenon. Pests, particularly parrots, and fungal diseases have also posed challenges. Despite these hurdles, the industry continues to involve 400 producers, 7 nurseries, 4 shelling plants, and 8 main exporters, supported by a network of suppliers and associations.

In 2021, Argentina exported 923 tons of pecans, with 45% being in-shell. In 2022, exports increased to 959 tons, with only 6.8% in-shell. By 2023, exports reached 1,411 tons, with 45% in-shell. Argentina targets markets in the United States, Europe, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Export volume ranges between 50% to 80% of total production.

While a significant portion of production is exported, local consumption is also noteworthy. In the 2022/2023 campaign, local consumption accounted for one-third of total production. Some growers focus on the domestic market, selling directly to consumers through fairs and websites. In contrast, others prefer exporting. In neighbouring countries, Brazil consumes around 4,000 tons annually, Uruguay produces 300 tons for domestic consumption, and Peru, with a planted area of 1,500 hectares, balances exports and local consumption.

Argentina’s pecan industry is on a robust growth trajectory, driven by diversification, favourable conditions, and strategic investments. With increasing production and exports, coupled with regional collaboration, the future of pecans in South America holds great potential for sustained success and development.

In July, Cluster del Pecan, a non-profit civil association, undertook a significant mission to South Africa to understand the technical, productive, and commercial aspects of the country’s pecan industry. The delegation included Cluster members, General Manager Nadia Venticinque, President Joaquin Torassa, growers, a shelling plant representative, exporters, and a technical advisor, accompanied by Cynthia Cabrol, Director of Economic International Relations of the Entre Ríos Government.

Starting on July 15th, the Argentine team visited the University of Pretoria. They also visited various pecan producers, conditioning plants, and exporters in the Northern Cape, South Africa’s main pecan region. The tour concluded at the University of the Free State’s Dept. of Plant Sciences.

This mission, the first official encounter between Argentina and South Africa in the pecan sector, marks a milestone. This collaboration fosters mutual growth and strengthens Southern Hemisphere pecans’ global market position.