Peanut Production Up in 2021 Despite Lower Acreage

Peanut production was up 4% in the United States in 2021, compared to 2020, as shown in Table 1. This was driven by strong yields nationwide of 4,135 lbs. per acre, just off the 2012 record of 4,211 lbs. per acre. Georgia – the largest peanut producing state – saw a 2% increase in production. This pushed the U.S. average up, as Georgia produces about half of the nation’s peanuts. The increased production comes despite a 5% decrease in peanut planted acreage nationwide. All three main peanut production regions saw declines in acreage, with the Southeast seeing a 5% decline driven by Georgia’s 7% dip.

Table 1. U.S. Peanut Production (thousand tons)

State201620172018201920202021% Change
Alabama      310      352      286      261      319311-2%
Arkansas         55         77         56         86         91         88-4%
Florida  277      319      282      295      281296      5%
Georgia   1,377   1,786   1,438   1,376   1,640   1,6692%
Mississippi         76         86         47         38         48         36-26%
Southeast  2,095  2,620  2,109  2,056  2,379  2,3991%
New Mexico         11         13           8           8           7         1499%
Oklahoma         22         40         23         28         29         3312%
Texas      280      349      232      244      245      29219%
Southwest      313     402     263     280     282     33920%
North Carolina      175      240      190      224      212      24817%
South Carolina      170      236      136      118      139      139-1%
Virginia         38         60         50         56         55         7127%
Virginia-Carolina     383     536     376     398     407     45712%
US Total   2,791  3,558  2,748  2,733  3,067  3,1954%
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

The strong production, however, has been combined with decreased use that is expected to increase peanut stocks. Peanut use is expected to decline by 4% this marketing year, primarily due to a 5% forecasted decrease in exports. However, food disappearance is expected to increase by 1% from 2020. Increases in consumption of peanut butter (5%), peanut candy (4%), and peanut snacks (3%) drove the domestic peanut food demand increase during the 2020-2021 marketing year, as shown in Figure 1. The peanut butter consumption increase follows the similar-sized increases observed the previous year, as demand has increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Peanut stocks are expected to increase by 5% to 1.1 million tons, which is still a manageable level for the industry.

  Figure 1. U.S. Peanut Food Consumption by Product and Marketing Year

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

Sawadgo, Wendiam. “Peanut Production Up in 2021 Despite Lower Acreage“. Southern Ag Today 2(13.1). March 21, 2022. Permalink

Wendiam Sawadgo

Wendiam Sawadgo