Nut production in Mexico has increased by 80% and the country has positioned itself as the second largest exporter of nuts, only behind the United States. The state of Chihuahua produces 54 percent of the nearly 110,000 tons of walnut that Mexico harvests every year, nearly half of which is exported.
According to a report from the National Finance Agricultural Development, Rural, Forestry and Fisheries (NDF), in 2013 Mexico exported 52,000 tons of nuts and made revenues of approximately $259 million dollars. Exports between 2000 and 2013 grew at a 6% yearly rate because of the demand from the United States, the main destination for Mexican nuts.
Chihuahua is the main producer in the country, as it concentrates 54% of the national production. Other relevant states are Sonora (16%), Coahuila (14%), Durango (6%), and Nuevo Leon (5%). 98.8% of the nut produced is of the Pecan variety, 1.1% is of the Castile variety, and 0.1% is of the Creole variety.
Since they produce candies, China and the United States have become major buyers of Mexico's nut production.
