India Proposes 70% Tariff Reduction on U.S. Pecan Imports

Back to February 2023

NPF Applauds Capitol Hill and Administration on Efforts to Lower Tariff.

Photo by Cameron Venti on Unsplash

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The India Ministry of Finance has released its proposed 2023 Union Budget and updates to customs duties. Included is a 70% reduction in the import tariff for pecans, from 100% to 30%. This is a significant positive change for the pecan industry that opens the U.S. pecan export market to India. According to recent studies, the industry could see an increase from $1 million in trade sales to $50-$60 million by 2030.

Reducing the import tariff on pecans in India has been a long-time trade priority for the National Pecan Federation (NPF). Chairman Larry Don Womack stated: “This is great news for the pecan industry. NPF has worked hard over the last few years on reducing this tariff to open the U.S. pecan export market to India. Pecans are grown in 15 states and have a significant impact on these rural economies. Opening the India market will be a great opportunity for our industry to expand and grow.”

Last month, NPF Executive Board Member Marianne Brown attended a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai and USTR Agriculture Ambassador Doug McKalip. At the meeting, Brown was given the opportunity to voice the pecan industry’s concerns and priorities as they relate to global markets and, most importantly, India.

NPF Executive Board Member Jeff Worn commented: “Expansion of the U.S. pecan export market to India is essential to the health of the pecan industry. Over the last few years, NPF has worked with Senator Ossoff and other members of Congress on this issue with USTR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advocate for lower tariffs to India. We are pleased with this outcome and believe the reduction in the tariff will be beneficial to the U.S. pecan industry.”

National Pecan Federation

The National Pecan Federation (NPF) represents pecan growers and pecan shellers (many of whom are also importers) across the United States. The NPF's mission is to promote, protect, and improve business conditions for the pecan industry by representing and advocating their common interest to the government. The NPF comprises industry organizations across the US, including the Western Pecan Growers Association, Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, Texas Pecan Growers Association, Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, and the National Pecan Shellers Association.