This page follows peanuts from U.S. production to processing and out to the foods people buy. Learn how farm livelihoods, jobs, and economic value are shaped by demand—especially peanut butter and everyday snacks. You’ll also find the nutrition basics that explain peanut popularity, plus where peanuts are grown and how exports and sustainability practices affect the industry.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. per capita peanut consumption reached 7.5 pounds in 2022, including products
- Peanut butter consumption in the U.S. was 3.1 pounds per capita in 2022
- Total U.S. peanut product consumption hit 1.2 billion pounds in 2022
- U.S. peanut industry farm value was $1.6 billion in 2022
- Peanut processing added $2.5 billion to U.S. economy in 2022 via jobs and output
- 25,000 U.S. farms grew peanuts contributing $1.2 billion cash receipts in 2022
- Peanuts contain 25.8 grams protein per 100 grams roasted
- One ounce peanuts provides 7 grams protein and 2 grams fiber daily needs
- Peanuts have 49% healthy monounsaturated fats reducing heart risk
- In 2022, the United States produced approximately 5.85 billion pounds of peanuts on 1.45 million acres with an average yield of 4,034 pounds per acre
- Georgia led U.S. peanut production in 2022 with 3.15 billion pounds from 710,000 acres at 4,437 pounds per acre yield
- Florida produced 510 million pounds of peanuts in 2022 on 130,000 acres with a yield of 3,923 pounds per acre
- One pound of peanuts requires 1.5 gallons water, costing growers $0.02/lb
- U.S. peanut industry recycled 90% of peanut shells into 500,000 tons animal feed 2022
- Drought-resistant peanut varieties reduced water use by 20% since 2015
In 2022, U.S. peanuts fueled strong demand and exports, producing 5.85 billion pounds and supporting thousands of jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption And Demand18 stats
01
U.S. per capita peanut consumption reached 7.5 pounds in 2022, including products
02
Peanut butter consumption in the U.S. was 3.1 pounds per capita in 2022
03
Total U.S. peanut product consumption hit 1.2 billion pounds in 2022
04
Candy and snacks with peanuts consumed 2.8 billion pounds equivalent in 2022
05
U.S. retail peanut butter sales reached $2.1 billion in 2022
06
Shelled peanut consumption for direct eating was 450 million pounds in 2022
07
U.S. peanut oil consumption stood at 120 million pounds in 2022
08
School lunch programs used 150 million pounds of peanuts in 2022
09
U.S. peanut exports for consumption reached 650 million pounds in 2022
10
Domestic U.S. peanut disappearance totaled 4.8 billion pounds in 2022
11
Peanut butter sandwich consumption averages 1,500 per American lifetime
12
50% of U.S. households buy peanut butter annually
13
Online peanut product sales grew 25% to $500 million in 2022
14
Organic peanut consumption doubled to 100 million pounds in 2022
15
Gourmet peanut snacks demand rose 18% in 2022
16
U.S. peanut allergy prevalence is 1.8% of population, affecting demand
17
Plant-based peanut milk sales hit $200 million in 2022
18
Roasted in-shell peanuts consumed 300 million pounds in 2022
Interpretation
Consumption And Demand Interpretation
In 2022, U.S. consumption stayed strong with per capita peanut use at 7.5 pounds and total peanut product demand reaching 1.2 billion pounds, while peanut butter alone accounted for 3.1 pounds per capita and $2.1 billion in retail sales, showing that demand is both broad across uses and concentrated in staple formats.
02 · Category
Economic Impact15 stats
01
U.S. peanut industry farm value was $1.6 billion in 2022
02
Peanut processing added $2.5 billion to U.S. economy in 2022 via jobs and output
03
25,000 U.S. farms grew peanuts contributing $1.2 billion cash receipts in 2022
04
Peanut industry supported 37,000 jobs in U.S. in 2022
05
Georgia peanut industry generated $7 billion economic impact in 2022
06
U.S. peanut exports contributed $1.1 billion to trade balance in 2022
07
Average peanut farmer income was $75,000 per farm in 2022
08
Peanut crop insurance covered $1.8 billion in liabilities for 2022 crop
09
Processing plants numbered 120 in U.S., handling 5 billion pounds annually
10
Peanut shelling industry output value $3.2 billion in 2022
11
R&D investment in peanuts totaled $50 million by industry in 2022
12
Tax revenues from peanut industry $400 million federally in 2022
13
Peanut tourism and festivals generated $100 million in local economies 2022
14
Supply chain for peanuts involves 500,000 workers U.S.-wide in 2022
15
Peanut byproduct sales (shells, skins) added $200 million revenue 2022
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In 2022, the U.S. peanut industry delivered broad economic impact, with $1.6 billion in farm value and $2.5 billion in processing output supporting 37,000 jobs while growers on 25,000 farms generated $1.2 billion in cash receipts.
03 · Category
Nutrition And Health19 stats
01
Peanuts contain 25.8 grams protein per 100 grams roasted
02
One ounce peanuts provides 7 grams protein and 2 grams fiber daily needs
03
Peanuts have 49% healthy monounsaturated fats reducing heart risk
04
Resveratrol in peanuts equals red wine levels for antioxidant benefits
05
Peanut consumption linked to 21% lower diabetes risk in studies
06
Niacin in peanuts supports 25% daily value per ounce for energy metabolism
07
Folate from peanuts aids 15% DV preventing neural tube defects
08
Vitamin E in peanuts 20% DV per ounce for skin and immune health
09
Magnesium in peanuts meets 12% DV helping blood pressure control
10
Peanut butter lowers LDL cholesterol by 5-10% in regular consumers
11
Arginine in peanuts promotes nitric oxide for vascular health
12
Peanut phytochemicals like p-coumaric acid fight inflammation
13
Daily peanut intake aids weight management due to satiety effects
14
Peanuts provide 166 calories per ounce with high nutrient density score 82/100
15
Biotin in peanuts supports 25% DV for hair, skin, nails health
16
Peanut consumption associated with longer telomeres indicating slower aging
17
Oleic acid in peanuts reduces gallstone risk by 25%
18
Lutein and zeaxanthin in peanuts support eye health 10% DV
19
Copper from peanuts aids 22% DV for connective tissue formation
Interpretation
Nutrition And Health Interpretation
From a Nutrition And Health perspective, peanuts stand out because 1 ounce delivers 7 grams of protein and helps lower diabetes risk by 21% while their 49% monounsaturated fat content supports heart health.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production And Yield29 stats
01
In 2022, the United States produced approximately 5.85 billion pounds of peanuts on 1.45 million acres with an average yield of 4,034 pounds per acre
02
Georgia led U.S. peanut production in 2022 with 3.15 billion pounds from 710,000 acres at 4,437 pounds per acre yield
03
Florida produced 510 million pounds of peanuts in 2022 on 130,000 acres with a yield of 3,923 pounds per acre
04
Texas peanut production reached 540 million pounds in 2022 from 165,000 acres averaging 3,273 pounds per acre
05
Alabama harvested 420 million pounds of peanuts in 2022 on 130,000 acres with 3,231 pounds per acre yield
06
North Carolina produced 380 million pounds from 95,000 acres in 2022 at 4,000 pounds per acre average yield
07
New Mexico's peanut yield in 2022 was the highest in the U.S. at 5,500 pounds per acre on 45,000 acres producing 247.5 million pounds
08
South Carolina grew 120 million pounds of peanuts in 2022 on 37,000 acres with 3,243 pounds per acre yield
09
Oklahoma produced 90 million pounds from 32,000 acres in 2022 averaging 2,812 pounds per acre
10
Virginia's 2022 peanut production was 55 million pounds on 17,000 acres at 3,235 pounds per acre
11
Arkansas yielded 45 million pounds from 15,000 acres in 2022 with 3,000 pounds per acre average
12
Mississippi produced 30 million pounds on 10,000 acres in 2022 at 3,000 pounds per acre
13
Global peanut production in 2021/22 was 50.6 million metric tons, led by China with 17.3 million metric tons
14
India produced 9.1 million metric tons of peanuts in 2021/22 from 5.2 million hectares
15
Nigeria's peanut output was 3.9 million metric tons in 2021/22
16
Sudan grew 2.3 million metric tons of peanuts in 2021/22
17
U.S. peanut farm cash receipts reached $1.4 billion in 2022
18
Average U.S. peanut planting date shifted to May 10-15 in Southeast for optimal yield
19
Irrigation covers 60% of U.S. peanut acreage in Texas and New Mexico for yield stability
20
Disease-resistant varieties increased U.S. peanut yields by 15% since 2010
21
Mechanical harvesting efficiency improved to 99% recovery rate in modern U.S. peanut operations
22
Peanut seed costs averaged $0.25 per pound in 2022 for U.S. growers
23
Fertilizer application for peanuts averaged 120 lbs N equivalent via legumes in 2022
24
U.S. peanut acreage declined 5% from 2021 to 2022 due to soybean competition
25
Runner-type peanuts comprised 78% of U.S. production in 2022
26
Virginia-type peanuts made up 12% of U.S. 2022 production
27
Spanish peanuts accounted for 8% of U.S. production in 2022
28
Valencia peanuts were 2% of total U.S. peanut output in 2022
29
Average U.S. peanut farm size grew to 450 acres in 2022
Interpretation
Production And Yield Interpretation
In the Production and Yield category, Georgia’s 3.15 billion pounds of peanuts grown on 710,000 acres at 4,437 pounds per acre in 2022 clearly stands out as both the highest output and the strongest yield compared with states like Texas at 3,273 pounds per acre.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Innovation15 stats
01
One pound of peanuts requires 1.5 gallons water, costing growers $0.02/lb
02
U.S. peanut industry recycled 90% of peanut shells into 500,000 tons animal feed 2022
03
Drought-resistant peanut varieties reduced water use by 20% since 2015
04
No-till peanut farming adopted on 40% acreage, cutting erosion 50% in 2022
05
Organic peanut acreage grew 15% to 50,000 acres in 2022
06
Peanut crop rotation with cotton improves soil nitrogen by 100 lbs/acre
07
Biopesticides used on 30% U.S. peanut fields reducing chemicals 25% 2022
08
Peanut shells converted to biochar sequestered 10,000 tons CO2 in 2022
09
Precision agriculture tech increased peanut efficiency 12% on 20% farms 2022
10
Aflatoxin testing innovations reduced rejection rates to under 1% exports 2022
11
GMO peanut traits in development for disease resistance by 2025 trials
12
Solar-powered irrigation on 5% peanut farms saved 1 million kWh 2022
13
Cover crops post-peanut harvest on 60% acreage improved biodiversity
14
Peanut protein isolates for plant-based meat market grew 30% 2022
15
AI yield prediction models accurate to 95% for peanut farmers 2022
Interpretation
Sustainability And Innovation Interpretation
Across sustainability and innovation, progress is accelerating as drought resistant varieties cut water use by 20% since 2015 and no till practices expanded to 40% of acreage, reducing erosion by 50% in 2022.
06 · Category
Trade And Export17 stats
01
U.S. exports of peanuts reached 1.05 billion pounds in 2022/23 marketing year
02
Mexico imported 35% of U.S. peanut exports in 2022, valued at $250 million
03
Canada was second largest U.S. peanut export market with 200 million pounds in 2022
04
Vietnam imported 150 million pounds of U.S. peanuts in 2022
05
EU countries took 120 million pounds of U.S. peanuts in 2022 despite tariffs
06
China imported only 50 million pounds from U.S. in 2022 due to trade tensions
07
U.S. peanut export value hit $900 million in 2022
08
Argentina exported 400,000 metric tons of peanuts globally in 2022
09
India peanut exports were 800,000 tons in 2022 to 60 countries
10
U.S. peanut imports minimal at 10 million pounds in 2022, mostly Valencia type
11
Average U.S. peanut export price was $1.05 per pound in 2022
12
Free trade agreements boosted U.S. peanut exports by 10% to Mexico
13
Container shipping costs for peanuts rose 30% in 2022 affecting trade
14
U.S. peanut trade balance surplus was $850 million in 2022
15
Africa imported 100 million pounds of U.S. peanuts in 2022
16
Middle East markets took 80 million pounds U.S. peanuts in 2022
17
Southeast Asia peanut imports from U.S. grew 15% to 250 million pounds in 2022
Interpretation
Trade And Export Interpretation
In the 2022/23 marketing year, U.S. peanut exports hit 1.05 billion pounds, but buyers were highly uneven, with Mexico taking 35% for $250 million while China imported only 50 million pounds amid trade tensions.
report visual · Breakdown
Where U.S. peanuts go: consumption vs exports (2022)
U.S. peanut demand is much larger domestically than overseas, with exports making up a smaller share of total disappearance.
10%
Lutein and zeaxanthin in peanuts support eye health 10% DV
90%
U.S. peanut industry recycled 90% of peanut shells into 500,000 tons animal feed 2022
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Peanut Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/peanut-industry-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Peanut Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/peanut-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Peanut Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/peanut-industry-statistics.
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