Australian pecan nut production and processing

Pecans have been grown in Australia for over 30 years with Wichita and West ern Schley being the two main cultivars grown in Australia. Climatic condit ions appear to be ideal for pecans in Australia, with a long growing season , fertile soil and good water supplies. There is only one pecan processing plant in Australia where pecans are sized, conditioned, cracked, shelled, s orted, dried, graded and pack aged. The majority of Australian grown pecans are consumed locally, with the greatest export market being North America. It is possible that the different production and processing practices empl oyed by the Australian pecan industry may affect the composition, quality a nd stability of the kernels.