By Clint Thompson
Peanut industry leaders in Alabama and Florida are expecting increased acres for the 2025 season. That may be the best management decision short term but could present challenges in the long term.
Speaking at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan, Alabama, on Thursday, Libbie Johnson, executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, expects her growers to up their acreage above last year’s 190,000.
“We expect it to go up of course in 2025, because peanuts do tend to make money. Going above 190,000 will be a great increase for us,” Johnson said.
“It can be a concern because that does change crop rotations. We worry about there being too much peanuts on the market for 2026 and prices being driven down. We’ve had some real issues with climate and weather in the past year. Hopefully, in 2025 we will have better weather conditions and be able to get good yields.”
Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association, estimated Florida’s acres in 2024 was around 170,000.
“I do expect acres to be up slightly this year,” Barton said. “It is a concern, because to increase in acres and from what I’m hearing on other commodities, corn and cotton acres will probably be down. Shortening our rotations, we are setting ourselves up for some difficulties down the line, especially with disease.
“I would just caution our farmers to think it through. Let’s try to stay in this for the long haul and prepare for what’s down the road.”
Trade Show
A total of 65 vendors and several hundred farmers and industry leaders attended Thursday’s trade show. It was highlighted by a legislative report from Bob Redding and marketing outlook from Marshall Lamb. The show provided growers an opportunity to reflect on the 2024 season just months ahead of planting next season’s crop.
“It’s a great time for transition and also to build excitement for 2025. I feel that’s what this program really does. It gives people an opportunity to interact and get ready for planting,” Johnson said.