ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - In a major investment to support Georgia pecan growers, the USDA recently announced a $24 million investment to export more pecans overseas, specifically to India.

Alex Willson, owner of Sunnyland Farms, says this investment will help open up new markets and help take pecans off the market, which in return will help the farm gate prices and continue to move the industry forward.

This is especially important after recent Hurricanes like Helene decimated crops in South Georgia, losing trees means farmers lose income for multiple years.

“Anything that we can do to help farmers weather these types of storms and get back on their feet and replant is going to be a good thing. Opening up new markets is crucial. The pecan industry saw a lot of success with China for inshell, and we’re looking to do the same thing with India,” said Alex Wilson, owner of Sunnyland Farms.

The tariff was reduced by 70% on shell pecans last year - now they’re working on getting the in-shell exports over to India, which will also be beneficial to Georgia growers.

Watch more of WALB’s Quinlan Parker’s interview with Wilson below:

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