Ag News
India agrees to cut tariffs on U.S. pecans by 70%
Posted on Feb 09, 2023 at 0:00 AM
By Jay Stone, Georgia Farm Bureau
In a development years in the making, the government of India has agreed to reduce its tariffs on pecans imported from the U.S. by 70%. This decision that could increase Georgia pecan growers’ access to customers in the nation with the world’s second-largest population.
Georgia is the top pecan producing state in the U.S. and the local industry is valued at $250 million.
The move was applauded by multiple members of Georgia’s congressional delegation, including
House Agriculture Committee Vice Chair Austin Scott (GA-08), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee David Scott (GA-13), and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), as well as Sens. Jon Ossof and Raphael Warnock.
In a joint release, Georgia’s house members said the decision reflects more than a decade of bipartisan, collaborative efforts on behalf of America’s pecan growers.
“Much of the global supply of pecans is grown right here in Georgia, and I commend India’s decision to reduce tariffs on our pecan exports and allow us into their growing market,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “This is more than a win for pecan farmers, this is a win for Georgia, and it couldn’t have been done without the hard work of my colleagues Representatives Sanford Bishop and David Scott.”
Austin Scott and Ossoff each traveled to India last year 2022 to meet with ambassadors and advocate on behalf of Georgia’s pecan growers for lower tariffs. Officials from the USDA and office of the United States Trade Representative visited Georgia in January for a roundtable discussion with pecan producers.
According to published reports, the move could grow Georgia’s exports to more than $50 million per year – up from the current $1 million per year – by 2030.
“For the last several years, bipartisan members from pecan-producing states have advocated for the reduction of tariffs on U.S. pecan imports to India. As a member from Georgia and as a leader on the House Agriculture Committee, the importance of these reductions for our pecan farmers has long been clear,” said Rep. David Scott. “Thank you to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the years of hard work that led to this outcome.”
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