One of the largest employers in Sahuarita announced this week that it’s closing its pecan processing division in the region.
Farmers Investment Company will lay off about half its workforce by December 2021.
The town’s mayor, Tom Murphy, said he was surprised by the announcement. “They’ve been such a staple in our community and a really important part of our history. My first reaction I think really, other than surprise, was my heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the layoffs," Murphy said.
Murphy added the pecan trees still will be producing for a number of years.
FICO media spokesperson David S. Steele in a press release stated, “FICO is taking this action because of a challenging global pecan market resulting from tariffs, low-cost competition from Mexican pecan processors, and the financial impacts from COVID-19. These factors combined to make it unsustainable to continue shelling pecans in Sahuarita.”
The facility will still be used for cold storage and shipping.
