Weather forecast for the next five days show most areas of the state with daytime highs in the low to mid-60s and evening lows in the low 30s with a possible light freeze forecast for the northern areas. For the weekend, temperatures will be mild and pleasant.
Buying interest is fairly active for export quality and good quality mid-sized pecans. Commercial interest is fairly strong for the domestic trade while moderate for the gift pack and retail business. The door trade is very slow and buyers may be closed for business before the holiday break and may expect to be closed for the season in early January. Yard tree deliveries are insufficient to establish market prices. Overall deliveries are light with most growers almost finished for the year and taking the last runs through the orchards. Very light deliveries are expected to come onto the market after the Christmas holiday break.
Most of the trading was in the form of blends, with Desirable and Stuart Blends commanding the highest prices. Cape Fear and Sumner prices remain strong for large to medium sized pecans of good quality. A few lots of other Improved varieties have shown up on the market but were insufficient to establish market prices.
Blends in lots weighing 20,000 pounds and less of export quality (nut count under 65 per unit) and meat yields of 46-53% sold in a wide range of about $4.32-5.29 mostly $4.47-4.87 per point. Other lots with (nut counts 70-85 per unit) with meat yields 46-53% sold in a wide range of about $3.40-4.55 per point mostly $3.60-3.92 per point. The highest prices paid are for the largest pecans and the lowest prices reflect prices for smaller sized pecans in those counts listed.
Larger lots of Blends over 20,000 pounds including trailer loads of export quality (nut counts 55 and under per unit) and meat yields of 50-52% sold in a range of about $4.81-5.50 mostly $5.00-5.50 per point. A few lots with nut count under 46 per unit sold much higher, but were too few to quote. Various lots of Blends with (nut counts 70-85 per unit) meat yields of 46-53% sold in a range of about $3.40-3.80 mostly $3.60 per point, with the largest pecans commanding the highest prices. Unit counts are nuts per pound.
Prices paid to growers (late afternoon Tuesday, December 9, 2014 thru late afternoon Thursday, December 11, 2014) at buyers delivery point or F.O.B. the orchard including direct sales to end users, cents per pound in-shell of generally good quality in lots of 20,000 pounds or less unless otherwise stated.
- Cape Fear (deliveries very light) (export quality under 50 count) 50-52% meat yield 275-285
- Desirables (deliveries very light) (export quality under 50 count) 50-52% meat yield 280-300 (56-60 count) 235-260
- Moneymaker (deliveries insufficient to establish market)
- Schley (deliveries insufficient to establish market)
- Seedlings (deliveries insufficient to establish market)
- Stuart (deliveries very light) (export quality under 50 count) 48% meat yield 240-250 occasional higher, (under 60 count) 48% meat yield 225-240
- Sumner (deliveries very light) (export quality under 50 count) 51-54% meat yield 290-295 (55-60 count) 51-53% meat yield 240-250
Lots in excess of 20,000 pounds including trailer load lots:
- Cape Fear (deliveries light) (export quality 50 count or under) 50% meat yield or better 275-285 occasional higher
- Desirables (deliveries very light) (export quality 53 count and under) 50-52% meat yield 285-300, (under 55 count) 260-275, (under 65 count) 190-200
- Schley (deliveries insufficient to establish market)
- Stuart (deliveries very light) (export quality 55-60 count) 46-50% meat yield mostly 240-250 (occasional higher for under 50 count)
- Sumner (deliveries very light) (under 50 count) 51-55% meat yield 290-295 (55-60 count) 240-265
