We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Zegalia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Profitability in the pecan industry is influenced by several dynamic factors, both domestic and international. While demand for pecans remains strong—particularly from health-conscious consumers and export markets—profit margins can fluctuate significantly due to the following key factors:

Tariffs and Trade Policies:
International trade policies, especially with major buyers like China, play a large role in profitability. In recent years, retaliatory tariffs have impacted U.S. pecan exports, making it harder to compete in overseas markets and sometimes leading to oversupply domestically. However, as trade relations stabilize or new trade agreements are negotiated, there may be opportunities to regain and expand market share abroad.

Supply Chain Disruptions:
Like many agricultural sectors, the pecan industry has felt the impact of rising input costs—fuel, labor, fertilizers, and packaging. Labor shortages, especially during harvest season, and transportation challenges have also increased operational expenses, putting pressure on growers’ and processors’ bottom lines.

Environmental and Climate Factors:
Weather events such as droughts, hurricanes, and late frosts can drastically affect crop yield and quality. Pecans require a specific balance of cold weather for dormancy and warm, consistent conditions during growing season. Any climate shifts or natural disasters in key producing states like Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico can reduce supply and impact profitability.

Long-Term Outlook:
Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Innovations in orchard management, irrigation, and pest control are helping improve yield efficiency. Additionally, domestic consumption is increasing due to growing awareness of the health benefits of pecans. Diversification into value-added products like pecan oil, flour, and snack packs is also opening up new revenue streams.

In summary, while the pecan industry faces ongoing headwinds related to global trade, environmental volatility, and rising costs, proactive management and market adaptation can sustain and even improve profitability in the long term.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Established in 1975, our second-generation family farm began with just 75 acres of pecan trees and a commitment to quality. Today, we proudly cultivate over 1,200 acres in pecan production, a testament to decades of hard work, growth, and dedication to excellence.

From our orchard to your table, we offer a full range of wholesale and retail pecan products—both inshell and shelled—carefully processed to ensure peak freshness and flavor. Whether you’re a business looking for bulk supply or a customer shopping for gifts or gourmet treats, we provide personalized service backed by the passion of a family-run operation.

You can find our retail products at two locations, including our charming store nestled in the historic Windsor Hotel in Downtown Americus, Georgia. In addition to our premium pecans, we proudly craft and sell our signature gourmet pecan coffee—another Southern favorite.

Shop online for convenient access to all of our offerings, including corporate gifts and fundraising packages. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to quality, community, and the legacy of a family farm built on Southern soil.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our reputation has been built over generations through hard work, consistency, and a genuine commitment to excellence. From the beginning, we’ve believed in doing things the right way—nurturing our orchards with care, delivering only the highest quality pecans, and treating every customer like part of the family. Word of mouth from satisfied customers, long-standing partnerships, and our hands-on, family-driven approach have all helped us earn trust in the community and beyond. It’s the combination of quality products, personalized service, and a passion for what we do that has made our name one people count on.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Over the years, our most valuable source of new clients has been simple—word of mouth. There’s no better endorsement than a satisfied customer sharing their experience with friends, family, and business partners. Whether it’s someone enjoying our pecans for the first time or a corporate client referring us to another organization, these personal recommendations have helped us grow organically and meaningfully. We’re proud that our commitment to quality, service, and Southern hospitality continues to speak for itself—one customer at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hornepecancompany.com
• Instagram: hornepecancompany
• Facebook: Horne Pecan Company
• Youtube: @hornepecancompany9386