Rep. Gabe Vasquez Leads Bipartisan Push to Protect New Mexican Pecan Producers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 30, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure American pecan producers are not left behind in ongoing trade negotiations with India. New Mexican pecan producers deserve full access to markets that will allow them to continue to grow their businesses. 

In the letter to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, lawmakers from New Mexico and Georgia emphasized the importance of export opportunities for growers. They stressed that under increasing trade barriers for U.S. pecans in the Indian market, producers will face devastating setbacks.

“Our pecan growers are already navigating drought, labor shortages, and high input costs. The threat of further retaliatory tariffs will be devastating. A rushed or incomplete deal risks leaving this sector behind at a time when global demand for pecans is projected to grow substantially, with the global pecan market expected to reach $3.64 billion by 2034,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter comes as trade negotiations between the U.S. and India have stalled amid President Trump’s recent announcement that imports from India would soon be subject to a steep 25 percent tariff. The president threatened additional penalties on India, threatening to derail a potential trade deal and jeopardize U.S. agricultural exports.

“New Mexico farmers are working harder than ever to turn a profit, and they deserve a level playing field and viable export markets,” said Vasquez. “New Mexico’s pecan industry is a mainstay in our agricultural economy. Any trade deal with India must include negotiated opportunities to grow pecan exports that produce sustainable farm income and good-paying jobs here at home.”

“The National Pecan Federation is grateful to Congressman Vasquez and others who signed to send this letter to USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer in support of the American pecan industry. We are continuously seeking new markets for pecan exports, but one of our main focuses over the past few years has been India,” said Larry Don Womack, National Pecan Federation Chairman. “Although the U.S. pecan industry has had great success in developing a trade relationship with India, the tariff rate is still too high for our industry to remain competitive with other tree nut exports. Additionally, pecan importers in India have requested the U.S. to export in-shell pecans, and we've been waiting for approval to offer this product. We appreciate this letter and its support for our efforts in improving and strengthening our trade agreements with India. This is an extremely important effort to help ensure the U.S. pecan industry remains viable and has opportunities to expand to additional foreign markets.”

“I am very grateful to Congressman Vasquez for leading this bipartisan effort to address the global trade challenges that U.S. pecan growers are facing,” said JJ Glover, New Mexico Pecan Grower and National Pecan Federation Member. “The U.S. pecan industry has potential to improve the American pecan presence in India, but battling various trade barriers has been extremely challenging. This issue is extremely important to New Mexico’s pecan growers, particularly those of us in the 2nd Congressional district. I appreciate the continued work by pecan state members of Congress in advocating for American pecan growers and look forward to having additional export opportunities.”

“As a New Mexico pecan grower, I’m proud to see this effort led by Congressman Vasquez. I appreciate the members of Congress who have worked diligently to represent our interests as an industry,” said Brycen Salopek, Board Member and Past President of Western Pecan Growers Association. “The U.S. pecan industry is a significant leader in the global nut market, but we have potential to improve our foreign trade relations. We look forward to pursuing the opportunities offered with India, and are thankful for assistance in lowering current tariff rates and allowing for an expansion of exported products.”

Rep. Vasquez remains committed to ensuring agricultural producers are not overlooked in trade negotiations in favor of industries like steel and automobiles, stressing that any final deal must deliver real benefits for farmers as well.

You can read a copy of the letter below or click the link here.

Dear Ambassador Greer,

We write to urge you to prioritize American pecan producers in ongoing trade negotiations with India and to extend the deadline for trade talks with India. Our states – New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia – are home to the world’s top pecan producers, and growers across our districts are counting on strong export opportunities to sustain their operations. Without action to lower trade barriers and finalize access for U.S. pecans in the Indian market, this vital industry will face unnecessary setbacks.

We must ensure that American producers have access to the world market. India is one of the fastest-growing markets for American pecans. In 2022, the U.S. exported more than $1.3 million worth of pecans to India, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ’s Foreign Agricultural Service projects that figure could rise to $5 million annually. While India’s decision to reduce tariffs from 100% to 30% was a positive step, this rate remains prohibitively high and continues to stifle the full potential of this emerging export market.

We urge you and the Trump Administration to make the pecan industry a central part of the ongoing U.S.-India trade discussions. This includes pushing for further tariff reductions, finalizing access for in-shell pecans, and working closely with USDA to expedite the Pest Risk Analysis process required to obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate. These actions are critical to ensuring fair market access for an industry that accounts for 80% of global pecan production and exports nearly 30% of its crop.

We also request that you and the Administration support an extension of the August 1 deadline to allow more time to reach an agreement. Our pecan growers are already navigating drought, labor shortages, and high input costs. The threat of further retaliatory tariffs would be devastating. A rushed or incomplete deal risks leaving this sector behind at a time when global demand for pecans is projected to grow substantially, with the global pecan market expected to reach $3.64 billion by 2034.

Pecan producers in New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, and across the country are ready to meet this growing demand. They need fair access to international markets and a trade agenda that reflects the economic importance of this crop. We urge you to ensure that the pecan industry remains a central part of our trade agenda with India and to take the necessary steps to support the success of American producers.

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