Examining 2024: A Good Year for Pecans

At Delightful Pecans, we're not just growers but proud participants in a thriving and evolving industry. That’s why we wanted to dive into the latest insights from the American Pecan Council's 2024 Annual Report, which highlights the exciting momentum building around our favorite nut. From new global markets to groundbreaking nutrition research, it's clear that pecans are finally stepping into the spotlight they deserve.

A Unified Push for Visibility and Value

In 2024, the American Pecan Council (APC) made a bold leap by introducing the Unified Pecan Promotion Plan (UPPP). This strategic roadmap elevates the entire pecan industry by aligning marketing efforts, improving data collection, and uniting stakeholders across the supply chain. For growers like us, it means more tools, better visibility, and a stronger market presence.

One of the most impactful results of this initiative is increased collaboration. The UPPP encouraged widespread feedback from across the country, helping us all speak with one voice. As a result, the APC created clear, dynamic graphs and industry reports that help us make smarter decisions on everything from crop forecasting to retail promotions.

These tools empower us—and other pecan growers—to plan more effectively and build relationships with retailers and buyers. And it doesn’t stop there. APC also ramped up its marketing support with frequent email communications, educational webinars, and insightful reports, making navigating the market a little easier.

Unlocking Nutrition's Full Potential

One of the biggest challenges we've faced over the years is changing public perception. While people love the taste of pecans, they haven't always seen them as a healthy or essential food. But thanks to ongoing investment in nutrition research, that narrative is shifting.

This year, three university-led studies funded by APC—from the University of Georgia, the University of Colorado, and Penn State University—provided new evidence that pecans are a nutritional powerhouse. These peer-reviewed studies found that a pecan-enriched diet improves cholesterol levels, regulates blood sugar, supports heart health, and can even reduce appetite.

That means pecans are more than just tasty; they're an ally in wellness, from weight management to cardiovascular health. Research like this is helping elevate pecans from occasional treat to daily staple—and we couldn’t be more excited.

Going Global: Pecans Take on the World

As American growers, we’ve always believed pecans are good enough to go global—and this year proved it. In 2024, APC launched new trade efforts in major international markets including India, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

In India, APC hosted its first-ever reverse trade mission, introducing Indian buyers to U.S. growers and showcasing the many possibilities of American pecans. Collaborations with culinary influencers and luxury hospitality brands helped spark demand, while a strong social media presence kept engagement growing. Events like the India Gourmet Luxe and campaigns with Hyatt Hotels demonstrated how pecans fit seamlessly into Indian culture and cuisine.

The UK market saw even more immediate results. In-store promotions helped grow pecan distribution by an incredible 138%, from 1,722 to over 4,100 stores. Branded packaging calling out "American Pecans" helped differentiate our products, while retail partners like Tesco and Sainsbury’s ran digital campaigns that drove tens of thousands of sales in just a few weeks.

These achievements aren’t just numbers. They’re evidence of a larger shift—a growing recognition around the world that American pecans are a premium product worthy of space in every kitchen.

Strengthening the Industry From the Inside Out

For long-term success, it's not just about where we sell—it's about how we work together. The APC's 2024 efforts to improve industry relations and readiness created real impact at the grassroots level. From organizing Field Days in key growing regions to refining the monthly Pecan Industry Position Report, APC gave us better visibility into what’s happening across the board.

These reports, full of shipment and inventory data, help us understand supply and demand trends so we can price competitively and plan ahead. Meanwhile, webinars covered practical topics like grades and standards, export funding, and international marketing opportunities. By participating in these sessions, we feel more prepared and more connected to the broader pecan community.

APC also led efforts to modernize the USDA's grades and standards for pecans—the first major update in over 50 years. This matters more than you might think: updated standards help ensure fairness, consistency, and clarity across the board, making it easier for growers like us to meet expectations and deliver high-quality products.

If you're curious about more of our industry news and stories, don’t miss our recent post on how pecans are adapting to today’s food trends.

Responsible Growth Through Financial Stewardship

Behind every marketing campaign or research grant is a well-planned budget. The 2024 financials showed that APC managed just under $4 million in revenue, the majority of which came from grower assessments and federal programs like the Marketing Access Program (MAP) and Emerging Market Program (EMP).

Of that total, 51.8% was invested in international relations—a clear sign that expanding global market share remains a priority. Additional funds supported marketing research, industry relations, administration, and compliance. Thanks to this strategic use of resources, APC was able to stretch every dollar to ensure the greatest possible impact for growers, processors, and stakeholders.

At Delightful Pecans, we believe that transparency and good stewardship are just as important as innovation. It’s encouraging to see the APC delivering on both fronts.

A Look Ahead: Building on 2024's Momentum

With 2024 behind us, we feel more hopeful than ever about the future of American pecans. The industry is uniting around shared goals, reaching new consumers both at home and abroad, and building a reputation based on quality, sustainability, and wellness.

As growers, we see firsthand how these efforts are paying off. Our pecans are appearing in more kitchens, more countries, and more conversations than ever before. And we're not slowing down. We’ll continue investing in better farming practices, more sustainable solutions, and innovative ways to bring our products to the world.

Whether you're a fellow grower, a curious home cook, or someone looking for the next big thing in healthy eating, know this: American pecans are just getting started. And here at Delightful Pecans, we’re proud to be part of the movement.

Let’s keep growing—together!