On February 3, a group of Georgia lawmakers celebrated the Indian government's decision to reduce tariffs on US pecan exports by 70%. According to them, the move will benefit thousands of farmers and is significant for the American pecan industry.
"Georgia produces nearly a third of America's pecans, and this announcement from the Indian government is welcome news that will expand global access to Georgia and further cement our state's status as a prime agriculture state," said the Senator, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee.
In a joint statement, House Agriculture Committee Vice Chair Austin Scott, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee David Scott, and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. praised India's decision to reduce tariffs on US pecan exports by 70%.
According to them, the decision is the result of more than a decade of bipartisan, collaborative efforts on behalf of America's pecan growers. Georgia is the top pecan-producing state in the United States, with a local industry worth USD 250 million.
"The announcement by India that tariffs on US pecans will be reduced by 70% is a big deal for Georgia pecan growers and the American Pecan Industry," Bishop said. "Much of the world's supply of pecans is grown right here in Georgia, and I applaud India's decision to lower tariffs on our pecan exports and allow us access to their expanding market," Scott said.
"This is more than a victory for pecan farmers; it is a victory for Georgia, and it would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of my colleagues Representatives Sanford Bishop and David Scott," he said.
Congressman Scott thanked the United States Trade Representative and the United States Department of Agriculture for their years of hard work that resulted in this result. "I look forward to working with Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack, as well as newly confirmed Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip and Under Secretary Alexis Taylor, to secure more trade wins for agriculture," he said.
Samantha McLeod, Executive Director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, was ecstatic about the prospect of expanding the United States' pecan export market to India.
"Pecans are grown in 15 states, including Georgia, and have a significant impact on these rural communities—lowering the tariff on US pecan exports to India will ensure that our industry continues to expand and thrive," he explained.
According to Marianne Brown, Executive Board Member of the National Pecan Federation and Pecan Grower in Leesburg, Georgia, pecans are an important part of Georgia's rural economy, and opening the export market to India will ensure the industry's continued growth and thrive. Georgia is the leading pecan producer, accounting for roughly one-third of total US output.
