Georgia Dealers in Agricultural Products Law

Products Covered

Fruits, vegetables, eggs, pecans, and cotton but does not include dairy products, tobacco, grains, and other basic farm crops.

Who is Protected?

Georgia producers of the covered products.

Who is Subject to the Law?

Any Georgia person, association, itinerant dealer, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, receiving, selling, exchanging, negotiating, or soliciting the sale, resale, exchange, or transfer of any agricultural products purchased from the producer or his agent or representative or received on consignment from the producer or his agent or representative or received to be handled on a net return basis from the producer. The term “dealer in agricultural products” also includes any person buying, selling, processing, or shelling pecan nuts, including any and every kind and variety of pecan nuts.  These dealers must be licensed by the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.  Cash buyers are excluded.

Claims Period

claims must be filed within 180 days of the breach by the licensee.

Where are Claims Filed?

Bond claims are with the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.

Is there a Bond Requirement?

Yes, licensees must be bonded.  The amount of the bond is set by the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture not to exceed the volume of purchases of covered products in Georgia, or in the case of cotton, $150,000.