US swing states keen to sell pecan nuts, pork to India

New Delhi: Certain US states, including potential swing states such as Georgia, are keen to sell pecan nuts and pork to India and have championed their cause before president Donald Trump’s visit to India later this month.

They argue that lower tariffs on pecans will satisfy the demand of Indians for additional varieties of tree nuts without impacting India’s “virtually non-existent domestic pecan industry.” Georgia and New Mexico have sought market access for pecan nuts and pork.

“They don’t have access here for pecan nuts and some of their senators have approached us,” said an official aware of the development.


Swing states see tight electoral contests and can go either way — Democrat or Republican — in the US presidential election.

‘Disparity’ in Tariffs Highlighted
These states are critical for Trump as he seeks a second term in November.

The pecan industry contributes more than $3.5 billion to the 15 pecan-producing states, including Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi. In the last 10 years, exports have pumped an extra $1.25 billion into the economy of 15 American states.

Officials said the lower tariff demand had been around for some time and the issue had come up ahead of Trump’s visit to India on February 24-25.

Some American senators have highlighted the “disparity” in tariffs that India charges on tree nuts that has created an “unlevel playing field” for American producers. While the tariff on American pecans entering India is around 36%, those on almonds and pistachios is 10%.

“Reducing trade barriers into India is an opportunity to strengthen the economy of rural America,” the senators wrote in a letter to United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer late last year.

In 2018-19, India imported fruit and nuts worth $840 million from the US, of which around $626 million were almonds.

Experts said since these products are not grown here, it is easy for India to grant access.

“This goes beyond the normal that the US is looking for. Trump wants a few states, which seem like swing states, to be happy and such products may emerge in the trade talks,” said a Delhi-based expert on trade issues.

The US is among the biggest exporters of pork in the world and sees a big potential for its products in India.

Agriculture and dairy have been crucial in the India-US trade talks. New Delhi has ruled out any tariff cuts for American milk but insisted on mandatory certification of dairy products by veterinary officials, specifying that the source animal was not raised on feed made of bovine extracts.

On the other hand, India is keen to get US market access for its mangoes and grapes.