Checking in On the Peanut Market and Weather

Peanut Market Stalls as Dry Conditions Challenge Harvest Across the Peanut Belt

As the 2025 peanut harvest begins to unfold across the peanut belt, producers and buyers alike are keeping a close eye on market conditions—and the news isn’t great.

“The market right now is at a standstill. Market sentiment for this crop has hit a price very low as the dry land making harvest difficult and some immaturity yield loss and possibly some aflatoxin problems.”

Current peanut prices have taken a hit, with jumbo runners selling as low as 48 cents per pound, compared to the 60 cents per pound range seen last year. The drop reflects uncertainty in both supply quality and harvest timing.

“Some buyers are beginning to kick tires and say we got to buy some peanuts but they don’t know what market the price is.”

Harvest challenges continue to mount due to dry weather, with limited rainfall expected in the near term.

“Rain chances are not good for the next two weeks except for Friday a 40 percent chance of rain.”

While irrigated fields are bringing in good quality peanuts, dryland farmers are largely at a standstill.

“Buying points report action very slow mostly irrigated fields with good quality peanuts coming in for grading. Dry land peanuts is unknown as farmers can’t dig they just have to wait for the rain unless they’re on some sandy soils that will allow a digger shaker to get in under those peanuts.”

Crop conditions reflect the struggle:

“But right now the crop is rated three percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 31 fair, 46 good and nine percent excellent.”

Only nine percent of the peanut crop has been harvested so far, and growers are hoping for rain to loosen the soil enough to allow digging and hauling to begin in earnest.

“Hoping for rain only nine percent of the crop has been brought in so far and we’ll be hoping the rain will loosen the soil so peanuts can be dug and brought to the market.”

Until weather improves, the peanut market outlook remains in limbo, with buyers cautious and growers anxious for a shift in both moisture and momentum.

Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.