Federal Marketing Order continued for pecan producers

The USDA announced Sept. 5 that pecan producers voted to continue their marketing order program applicable to pecans grown in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

In a referendum, 63% of pecan producers voting, who represented 71% of the volume of pecans produced by those voting, were in favor of continuing the program. The referendum was held June 7-28, 2021, by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Voting was reopened until July 23, 2021 in response to some industry members not receiving ballots.

For the program to continue, two-thirds or more of the producers voting in the referendum, or producers representing the production of two-thirds or more of the volume of pecans produced, had to vote in favor of continuance. The marketing order requires a continuance referendum be held every five years.

The marketing order authorizes the American Pecan Council to regulate grade, size, maturity, container, and pack standards for pecans grown in 15 states under USDA’s oversight. Authorities under the marketing order support the industry’s effort to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Information about the marketing order available on the 986 Pecans webpage, the AMS Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Marketing Order and Agreement Division at (202) 720-2491.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to 29 fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.