A Texas pecan company is expanding into the Arizona market and recently purchased more than 4,000 acres of orchards in Cochise County.
National Pecan, based in Frisco, Texas, bought several tracks of pecan orchards between Bowie and San Simon, said CEO David Lawrence.
“You have some great growing areas and Bowie is one of the best areas for growing pecans,” he said.
The company, which grows, shells and sells pecans exclusively, wants to increase its operations in Arizona, Lawrence said.
“We want to make this the center of our Arizona operation, but definitely expand,” he said.
About 20 employees working at the orchards will continue with National Pecan and no changes are planned for the current operation.
The orchards were sold by J. Dick Eastman, Cody Eastman, G.W. Eastman, Katie Eastman, Douglas Kremer, Lacey Kremer and the J. Dick Eastman and Cody Eastman Revocable Trust for $39.5 million, records from the Cochise County Recorder’s Office show.
National Pecan provides both in-shell and shelled pecans and pecan-based products around the world.
The company joins a growing number of pecan and pistachio growers in Cochise County, including the Bowie, San Simon and Willcox areas.
