Pecans
Pecans suppliers and sourcing guide
Pecans are the nuts of the pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis), native to North America and grown mainly in the southern United States and northern Mexico. Harvested nuts are cleaned, dried, sized, cracked and shelled, and the kernels are sorted by color and size into halves, pieces and meal. Brands buy shelled kernels for baking, confectionery, cereals, ice cream inclusions and snack mixes.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Carya illinoinensis · Pecan halves · Pecan pieces · Pecan kernels
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of pecans
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Halves
Graded by count per pound, from mammoth to small halves.
Pieces
Graded by size from large pieces to granules, the usual bakery grade.
Meal
Finely ground pecan for fillings, crusts and coatings.
Color grades
Light, light amber, amber and dark amber kernels.
Roasted, pasteurized or organic
Roasted or pasteurized kernels and certified organic grades.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Moisture against the grade; shelled pecan grades commonly cap moisture at 4.5 percent unless otherwise specified.
- Color
- Kernel color classification (light to dark amber).
- Rancidity
- Peroxide value and free fatty acids, the main shelf-life indicators for nut kernels.
- Defects and foreign material
- Shell, pithy material, insect damage, mold and dark kernels against the grade ordered.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella; ask whether the lot was pasteurized or roasted and how that step was validated.
- Aflatoxins
- Total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 by HPLC or LC-MS/MS on a lot sample drawn by a defined sampling plan.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Pecan kernels are high in unsaturated fat and turn rancid with heat, light and air, so store them sealed in a cool, dry place, ideally refrigerated or frozen for longer holds, and away from strong odors they can absorb. Protect stock from insects and rodents. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with peroxide value or flavor checked on older lots.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, size and flavor vary with variety, region and crop year, and kernels darken with age and warm storage. Record grade, size, color and peroxide value for each lot and rotate stock first-in, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's food allergen Q&A guidance (Edition 5) lists pecan, Carya illinoinensis, among the tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)USDA's grade standards for shelled pecans set moisture for the U.S. Extra Fancy and U.S. Fancy grades at not more than 4.5 percent unless otherwise specified.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)USDA's grade standards for pecans in the shell set kernel moisture for the U.S. Extra Fancy and U.S. Fancy grades at not more than 6 percent unless otherwise specified.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Pecans suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking pecans suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell pecans? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of pecans can brands buy?
Common forms include halves, pieces, meal, color grades and roasted, pasteurized or organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for pecans include?
Expect moisture, color, rancidity, defects and foreign material, microbiology and aflatoxins, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should pecans be stored?
Pecan kernels are high in unsaturated fat and turn rancid with heat, light and air, so store them sealed in a cool, dry place, ideally refrigerated or frozen for longer holds, and away from strong odors they can absorb. Protect stock from insects and rodents. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with peroxide value or flavor checked on older lots.
What is the regulatory status of pecans?
FDA's food allergen Q&A guidance (Edition 5) lists pecan, Carya illinoinensis, among the tree nuts FDA considers major food allergens. USDA's grade standards for shelled pecans set moisture for the U.S. Extra Fancy and U.S. Fancy grades at not more than 4.5 percent unless otherwise specified. USDA's grade standards for pecans in the shell set kernel moisture for the U.S. Extra Fancy and U.S. Fancy grades at not more than 6 percent unless otherwise specified.
More food staples and powders
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- Whole milk powderDry whole milk · WMP
- Sweet whey powderDry sweet whey · Dried whey
- Buttermilk powderDry buttermilk · Dried sweet cream buttermilk
- Dried whole eggDried eggs · Whole egg powder
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