South African Pecans in the Spotlight at Major Chinese Exhibition

Pecans from South Africa were proudly represented at the 18th Food Exhibition for China Nuts and Dried Fruits, held in Hefei, Anhui Province, from April 15 to 19, 2025. The event took place at the Hefei Binhu International Exhibition and Convention Center, spanning over 150,000 square meters, including 120,000 square meters dedicated to product displays. This year, the exhibition attracted 237,000 visitors and featured more than 10,000 products from nearly 2,000 companies.

Prior to the event, on April 14, South African representatives visited three pecan farms in Anhui Province. These included a privately owned farm, a large-scale commercial operation run by ChaCha (a major player in both farming and retail), and a publicly owned “crowd farming” model, where individuals can purchase trees and share in the profits. During the visit, trees were just beginning to leaf out, with visible pollen strands indicating early spring.

Most of the trees were of the Pawnee variety, with some local Chinese cultivars. While it’s difficult to draw broad conclusions from just three farms, it was noted that 10-year-old trees in China appeared smaller compared to those of the same age in South Africa.

On April 15, South African Pecan Nut Producers Association (SAPPA) was invited to participate in the Roundtable Dialogue: Empowering the Global Nuts Material Industry in Product Processing and Market Expansion. Representing South Africa, Cobus van Rensburg shared key insights, including the country’s current 55 000 hectares of planted pecans, the estimated 22 000 hectares not yet in harvest and projections for the 2025 harvest season. He highlighted rising input costs at farm level, the importance of a sustainable industry for all stakeholders, the need for product development in China and to grow consumption in China to ensure pecans becomes a household name. The day concluded with a VIP welcome dinner attended by industry professionals from around the world.

From April 16 to 19, the focus shifted to the exhibition itself. SAPPA secured a 120 m² booth, providing space for eight processors to showcase their companies and market their available volumes. South Africa made a strong impression, standing out as the only country with a large national pavilion that included processors on-site to engage directly with potential buyers. Both new relationships and ongoing partnerships were nurtured during the event.

What was notable was the increase in enquiries for pecans, the need for quality pecans, and how buyers are looking to South Africa as a long-term, stable supplier of pecans. It was encouraging to hear that the demand for Choctaw is growing again.

The Specialized Committee for Nuts and Dried Fruits of the China National Food Industry Association (CNA) once again did an exceptional job organizing the conference and exhibition. Their efforts ensured a well-run, productive, and welcoming experience for all international participants.

South Africa’s participation this year not only elevated the country’s profile in the global pecan market but also laid important groundwork for future collaboration and trade with China.