Peanuts are an iconic American crop with the U.S. being one of the world’s top peanut producing countries. But where exactly are peanuts grown in the U.S.? While peanuts can be cultivated in pockets across the southern half of the country the vast majority of commercial production takes place in just a handful of states.
The Top Peanut Producing States
The peanut grows best when it’s hot outside, between 70°F and 90°F, in the summer. Soils that are sandy, well-drained, and have a moderate amount of water are also great for growing. Georgia, Texas, and Florida are all great places to grow peanuts because they have the right climate and soil.
In fact, over 90% of U.S. peanuts come from just six states
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Georgia – The number one peanut state, producing nearly 50% of the American peanut harvest
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Florida – Contributes over 11% of the nation’s peanuts.
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Alabama – Produces more than 10% of the U.S. peanut crop.
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Texas – Grows over 9% of American peanuts.
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North Carolina – Accounts for over 8% of total U.S. production.
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South Carolina – Produces over 4% of the peanuts grown in the country.
The remaining peanut production occurs in seven other states: Mississippi, Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Missouri. But the big six states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina dominate as the major peanut powerhouses.
Regional Peanut Production
The 13 peanut growing states are actually grouped into three distinct production regions:
Southeast Region
The Southeast region includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. More than 65% of all American peanuts are grown in this one region alone. The Southeast is the heavyweight peanut production zone because of the huge amounts that come from Georgia and Florida.
Virginia-Carolina Region
This region contains Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It accounts for close to 13% of the nation’s peanuts. Virginia and North Carolina lead production in this zone.
Southwest Region
The Southwest peanut growing region consists of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It contributes over 17% of the U.S. peanut crop, with Texas as the star producer.
Why the American South Dominates
So what makes the states in the South so good for growing peanuts? The climate and soil are the keys.
Temperature
Peanuts need hot and humid conditions to properly mature. Daytime highs between 70-90°F are ideal during the growing season. It’s always hot in the summer in places like Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Rainfall
20-40 inches of precipitation during the growing months keeps peanut plants hydrated without waterlogging the fields. The southern climate provides adequate rainfall for most peanut acreage.
Soil Properties
Peanuts thrive in sandy loam soils that drain well and have moderate organic matter. These soil characteristics are commonly found throughout the southern Coastal Plains region.
Growing Season Length
A long growing season with at least 140 frost-free days is required for peanuts. Most southern states easily meet this threshold, enabling a full growing cycle.
The combination of heat, humidity, rainfall, and soils in the American South create a peanut paradise. That’s why states like Georgia crush the competition when it comes to U.S. peanut production.
Peanut Production Statistics
According to recent data from the USDA, around 1.52 million acres of peanuts were planted in the U.S in 2022. Total production is forecast to reach 5.57 billion pounds, exceeding the 2021 harvest.
If this projection holds, it will be another record year for American peanut farmers. Average national peanut yield is estimated at 3,660 pounds per acre, an all-time high.
Strong demand, expanded acreage, and improving yields have caused peanut production to steadily rise over the past decade. U.S. peanuts are exported worldwide and used domestically in peanut butter, snacks, candies, and oils.
Peanuts Can Grow Outside the South
While commercial production is centered in southern states, peanuts can be grown on a small scale in other warm regions. Gardeners in places like California, Arizona, and even Kansas have had success cultivating peanuts.
But for mass commercial agriculture, the climate and soils in Georgia, Texas, Florida, and other southern states make them the peanut capitals of America. So next time you enjoy peanut butter or a salty snack, there’s a good chance those peanuts came from the fields of the southern U.S!
Where Are Peanuts Grown?
In the U. S. Peanuts are mostly grown in the south and east, where the sandy soils and hot, sunny weather make harvesting easiest.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and, of course, Virginia are all in peanut country.
The Growing Habit of the Peanut Plant
As we hinted above, peanut plants have a unique growing cycle, compared to other edibles. There are a lot of other plants besides peanuts that make seed pods that can be eaten or used to grow more plants. For example, snap peas and snow peas are popular spring-growing relatives of peanuts.
But peanuts are different in that the process begins above ground, and then moves underground to complete seed formation and ripening: The plant is above ground, but the peanuts grow underground! Heres how it works:
- It is planted in the ground, and the peanut seed grows.
- The peanut seeds germinate and sprout, coming up from the ground to make stems and green leaves that are oval-shaped.
- As the plant grows up, it blooms and makes special structures that look like stems. These are called “pegs.” “.
- On the tip of each peg is a seed pod.
- The pegs point down and dig into the ground, which is where the peanut-filled seed pods grow and become fully grown.
- The peanut plants are picked in September or October, when the growing season is over.
A field of peanut plants.
What it takes to farm peanuts | Georgia Peanuts
FAQ
Do peanuts grow on trees or underground?
Peanuts grow underground, not on trees.
Why is growing peanuts illegal in California?
In 1949, the U. S. Congress made it illegal to grow peanuts without a federal license. According to The Washington Times, the government created the license to limit federal spending. There was even a point where the government stopped giving out licenses so no one new could begin selling peanuts.
Which state grows the most peanuts in the US?
Georgia leads U. S. production of peanuts, outproducing all other States combined. In the United States, peanuts are grown mainly in the South, where the climate is warmer and growing seasons are longer than in northern zones.
Is it legal to grow peanuts in Texas?
It is legal to grow peanuts for your own personal use. I understand that in order to grow them commercially, you must be licensed. It is always a good idea to check your state’s laws. We are good in Texas.
How do you grow peanuts in the USA?
First, Farmers Plant the Seeds. Peanuts are planted in the USA Peanut Belt after the last frost in April or May, when the soil is 65° to 70°F. Scientists grow peanut kernels from the previous year’s crop and plant them about two inches deep, one to two inches apart, in rows.
Are peanuts easy to grow?
Peanuts are an easy-to-grow crop, as long as you can provide the right growing conditions and climate. A warm-weather plant, peanuts require a long, hot growing season, loose sandy soil to develop in and careful adherence to watering requirements.
Can you grow peanuts indoors?
Peanuts are surprisingly easy to grow at home. Most gardeners have more luck by starting the plants indoors early in the season and transplanting their seedlings into an outdoor garden once the soil warms up. To learn more about the right way to grow peanuts, keep reading. Know the benefits of starting a peanut plant indoors.