While Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to various crops in the Southeast, the pecan — a cherished and iconic export of Georgia — has been particularly affected. This hurricane is not the first to threaten the pecan crop; over the past 50 years, Georgia has witnessed a staggering 70% loss of its pecan trees, deeply impacting local farmers. Given that a pecan tree requires 20 to 25 years to reach its full production capacity, this loss is especially concerning. Experts estimate that Helene has damaged about one-third of Georgia’s pecan production area, with the Augusta Chronicle reporting that approximately 75%, or over 36 million pounds, of this year’s crop in the storm-affected regions has been lost.
In light of this calamity, farmers and food manufacturers must brace for future disasters by bolstering the resilience of their supply chains, according to Laura Shenkar, founder and CEO of the pecan milk brand PKN. Many farmers across Georgia and Alabama rely on pecan trees for their livelihoods. “So many of them have lost their crops; they are now devastated by the storm,” Shenkar noted. “They are closed and likely won’t be able to reopen anytime soon.” Pecans are one of the few tree nuts native to U.S. soil, and while they have faced severe weather conditions in the past, the recent hurricane has taken a toll.
Shenkar suggests that pecan growers can look to the almond industry as a model for managing supply chains that depend on specific geographic regions. “At one point, nearly all almond crops were concentrated in California under strict regulations. This allowed them to create a consistent and predictable supply of products while minimizing waste,” she explained. To enhance resilience to disasters, PKN is forming partnerships and cooperatives that connect consumers directly with farmers. Southern Roots, one of its partners, serves as a wholesale supplier of both in-shell and shelled pecans. Many farms within this grower-owned cooperative have been family-run for generations, giving consumers a sense of impact with their purchase of PKN milk.
Through these partnerships, consumers gain transparency regarding crop performance. When they see their growers in difficulty, they can offer support. Pecans also boast sustainability features that remain largely untapped, such as the potential for upcycling to create new products. “Pecan shells that would otherwise be discarded, no matter how small, can be transformed into pecan milk,” Shenkar said. Compared to other nut milks on the market, pecans are largely underutilized, with only a few companies, such as PKN, Pecana, and Nuthatch, focusing on pecan milk. Larger plant-based brands, like Elmhurst 1925, include it in their broader offerings.
To prepare for the future, Shenkar emphasizes the importance of collaboration between companies, farmers, and shellers to ensure a viable product over the next 20 to 30 years. Additionally, the health benefits associated with pecans, such as their potential contribution to nature’s bounty of calcium citrate, underscore their value not just as a food source but also as a sustainable option for consumers. By fostering these connections and exploring the full potential of pecans, the industry can better navigate challenges and continue to thrive.