PASSIONATE ABOUT PECANS

South Africa is the third largest pecan producer in the world and the industry continues to flourish.

Natal nurseryman, Mr. Wilkinson, imported the first pecan trees towards the end of 1800s. The first grafted trees were imported in 1912 by F.S. Staniland of Willowfontein in Pietermaritzburg, and the first commercial nursery was established by HL Hall and sons near Nelspruit in Limpopo Province.

Initially, the pecan industry grew steadily, but when China entered the market, the demand skyrocketed. In 2007, Chinese traders shifted from walnuts to pecans during the shortage of walnut supplies from China and the U.S. This expansion motivated farmers to seriously cultivate more pecan trees with remarkable success, and Chinese traders soon realised they could bypass the bottleneck from shellers and deal directly with growers.

The pecan industry has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the past 30 years. The development of high-yielding inshell varieties, modern agricultural and irrigation practices played a significant role in the industry’s progress into the 21st century. The introduction of improved cracking and sorting technology enabled expansion into the export market, while continuing to supply the core domestic customer base.

Mtebeni Ranches’ journey began in 1964 in Pongola, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In the 1980s, they diversified from cattle and cotton to include pecan nuts. In 1987 they had 100 hectares of pecans and in 2022 they have 140 hectares with over 6,000 pecan trees.

In the beginning, Mtebeni Ranches sorted and packed pecan nuts by hand. They developed a close relationship with their local community offering valuable employment. The shelling plant equipment was upgraded in 2000 with state-of-the-art imported and locally manufactured machinery for de-shelling and sorting. The plant’s capacity increased to 800kg per day (100 tons per annum). In 2016 they underwent another expansion project to meet the year-on-year global demand for pecans. In 2022 the factory processes two tons per day, and over 200 tons per annum. Their modern cold storage facility ensures all year-round shelling.

Mtebeni Ranches and the pecan processing facility employs over 80 people from the local community, plus additional staff during harvesting. Many employees have been with Mtebeni Ranches for two or three generations and they form an integral part of the farm’s culture. Mtebeni Ranches’ inclusive management style takes pride in all the people who participate in the process that has led to the success they have achieved over the past 50 years. Staff receive regular training programs on and off site, and they offer additional educational opportunities for staff that show potential for growth.

Mtebeni Ranches’ pecan production compares to the best in the world. Their increasing annual export orders are testament to this.

Mtebeni Ranches produces, de-shells and packs pecan nuts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We are proud members of the South African Pecan Producers Association (SAPPA).

Contact Karen via WhatsApp on +27 82 923 6062

Or email admin@mtebenivalleypecans.co.za