The government of India announced a major 70% cut to tariffs on US pecan exports. Experts are saying these cutbacks are a big relief for Georgia pecan growers. Georgia produces about one-third of all American pecans. With India lowering its tariffs on imported pecans from 100% to 30%, it gives pecan farmers a huge financial relief.
When pecan farmers ship products to another country, that country will demand a tariff fee to bring those products into their country. Jamie Allison, of G&G Pecan Farm, says he believes now is a bad time to have a lower price on the nuts: “A few years ago it was a pretty big thing to ship pecans to China and all the other countries, which demanded a higher price, and now the price have been driven down. But on the same hand, the cost of fertilizer, and diesel fuel, and everything it takes to grow them is sky high.”
Dr. Lenny Wells, a pecan extension specialist at UGA, says pecans are in high demand for the Indian market. He says for the past 10 to 15 years, there has been a lot of moving parts to bring awareness to the cost. Now it’s finally happening.
