RALEIGH — Pecan pie lovers can celebrate. The North Carolina pecan growers have a good crop ahead of the holidays despite a relatively dry summer and damages sustained during last year’s hurricane season. That is good news for consumers wanting to incorporate local ingredients into their Thanksgiving meals.
“Reports from growers are showing a good quantity and quality of pecans this year, with pecan season running into December,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
North Carolina is home to more than two dozen commercial pecan orchards. Dec. 13 is Pecan Day at the State Farmers Market, where visitors can get free samples of pecan desserts and recipes to try at home.
North Carolina is one of the Top 10 pecan-producing states in the nation. While pecans are grown across the state, the majority of commercial orchards are located in Eastern and Southeastern North Carolina.
The N.C. pecan industry includes growers, processors, bakers and confectioners. The Carolina Nut Cracker in Mount Olive offers pecans in the shell and pecan halves in bulk. Pamlico Pecans & Custom Shelling in Beaufort County produces pecans in an orchard and offers shelling services for anyone who needs pecans shelled.
The N.C. Pecan Growers offer a pecan newsletter to learn more about pecans and orchards at their web site, buyncpecans.com.
