USDA Announces 2026 Pecan Marketing Order Continuance Referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that a continuance referendum for the Federal Marketing Order for Pecans (American Pecan Council) will be conducted July 6 through August 3, 2026.

As required every five years under the marketing order, eligible pecan growers will have the opportunity to vote on whether the federal marketing order regulating the handling of pecans grown in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas should continue.

Who Is Eligible to Vote?

Current pecan growers within the production area listed above are eligible to vote if they meet EITHER of the following criteria:

• Produced an average of 50,000 pounds or more of inshell pecans during the period October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2025, or
• Own 30 or more acres of pecan orchards within the production area.

Voting Information:

The referendum will be held July 6 through August 3, 2026.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all eligible growers of record. Eligible growers will also have the option to vote electronically.

To be counted, ballots submitted by mail or electronically must show proof of delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 3, 2026.

If you believe you are eligible to vote and have not received a ballot by July 14, 2026, please contact:

Jennie M. Varela
Marketing Specialist, USDA AMS
📧 [email protected]
📞 (863) 324-3375

You may also contact Christian D. Nissen, Branch Chief, at [email protected] or (863) 324-3375.

About the Referendum

USDA is required to conduct a continuance referendum every five years to determine whether growers support continuing the federal marketing order. The marketing order will be considered for termination if less than two-thirds of the growers voting and less than two-thirds of the production volume represented in the referendum vote in favor of continuance. USDA will also consider other relevant information regarding the operation and effectiveness of the marketing order when making its final determination.

For additional information, including the full text of the marketing order, please visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website, review the Federal Register notice, or visit the American Pecan Council website.