Once deshucked, poorly filled pecans are vacuum separated with a pop remover. This can be in special drying boxes, false bottom peanut trailers, open-weave sacks, or on concrete floors. Drying time is greatly reduced by moving as much dry air over the pecans as possible. Marketing pecans can be a frustrating task for all parties involved. The price is controlled by supply and demand.
Few growers grade their pecans.
The USDA and the National Pecan Shellers have grading standards, but they are not easy to use. Growers who use the Texas Pecan Show Grading System of percent kernel, size, and color can negotiate for a fair price. The pecan is an alternate bearer, producing a very large crop one year and few pecans the next. There are approximately 25 major pecan buyers with shelling plants. Pecans in large volume can be sold directly to these shellers or they can be sold to local accumulators.