US Congressman asks Modi to reduce import tariff on pecan
Updated: Oct 08, 2014 03:07:37pm
New Delhi, Oct 8 (KNN) A US Congressman, in a written letter, has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce the tariff on pecan, a variety of walnut, and said that pecan imports are burdened with high tariff in India.
Congressman Sanford D Bishop, member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, advocated for Georgia’s pecan industry during a brief meeting with Modi in New York City. After a private conversation, he gave Prime Minister Modi and his staff a letter calling for India to reduce pecan tariff rates, according to a press release.
"Though India does not produce pecans, it has levied an effective duty of 36.26 per cent on all pecan imports and a requirement to fumigate all large incoming shipments, which adds to costs and delays. While pecan imports are burdened with this high tariff, other US tree nuts enter India at a tariff rate of 10 per cent or below," he wrote in the letter.
"I respectfully ask for you to review the tariff rates placed on US pecans. The US pecan industry would like to continue to expand our market in India and share this delicious and healthy tree nut with India's consumers," he wrote.
A study done by the US Department of Agriculture found that pecans contain more antioxidants than any other tree nut at 5,095 micromoles per ounce.
In comparison, one ounce of walnuts only contains 3,846 micromoles and one ounce of almonds only contains 1,265 micromoles, he noted.
"The major hindrance of developing this market in India is the very high tariff placed on imported pecans," said the Congressman from Georgia.
"Georgia is a major exporter of pecans," he said. "The tariff on US pecans, however, is currently an astronomical 36.26 per cent in India, while other US tree nuts enter India at a tariff rate of 10 per cent or below. I was pleased to have had an opportunity to personally bring this situation to Prime Minister Modi's attention so that more US pecans can enter India's market," Bishop said in a statement.
Pecans are grown in about 15 states in the southern belt of the United States. U.S. growers produced 360 million pounds of pecans in 2012, about 45 per cent of which was exported to other countries. In 2013, the US exported 54,923 metric tons of pecans. Georgia is the largest producer of pecans in the United States. (KNN/SD)
Congressman Sanford D Bishop, member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, advocated for Georgia’s pecan industry during a brief meeting with Modi in New York City. After a private conversation, he gave Prime Minister Modi and his staff a letter calling for India to reduce pecan tariff rates, according to a press release.
"Though India does not produce pecans, it has levied an effective duty of 36.26 per cent on all pecan imports and a requirement to fumigate all large incoming shipments, which adds to costs and delays. While pecan imports are burdened with this high tariff, other US tree nuts enter India at a tariff rate of 10 per cent or below," he wrote in the letter.
"I respectfully ask for you to review the tariff rates placed on US pecans. The US pecan industry would like to continue to expand our market in India and share this delicious and healthy tree nut with India's consumers," he wrote.
A study done by the US Department of Agriculture found that pecans contain more antioxidants than any other tree nut at 5,095 micromoles per ounce.
In comparison, one ounce of walnuts only contains 3,846 micromoles and one ounce of almonds only contains 1,265 micromoles, he noted.
"The major hindrance of developing this market in India is the very high tariff placed on imported pecans," said the Congressman from Georgia.
"Georgia is a major exporter of pecans," he said. "The tariff on US pecans, however, is currently an astronomical 36.26 per cent in India, while other US tree nuts enter India at a tariff rate of 10 per cent or below. I was pleased to have had an opportunity to personally bring this situation to Prime Minister Modi's attention so that more US pecans can enter India's market," Bishop said in a statement.
Pecans are grown in about 15 states in the southern belt of the United States. U.S. growers produced 360 million pounds of pecans in 2012, about 45 per cent of which was exported to other countries. In 2013, the US exported 54,923 metric tons of pecans. Georgia is the largest producer of pecans in the United States. (KNN/SD)
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