Georgia Peanut Deliveries Near Completion as Market Holds Steady
The Federal State Inspection Service across Georgia is reporting continued progress in the state’s peanut harvest, with producers delivering a total of 3,496,000 tons of peanuts so far this season. That figure represents 93.6% of the current crop estimate, indicating the harvest is nearing completion but remains slightly behind last year’s pace.
By comparison, Georgia peanut deliveries were at approximately 94% at the same point last year. While the difference is small, it suggests a modest delay in crop movement, likely influenced by weather, logistics, or field conditions in certain production areas.
From a market standpoint, peanut prices remain relatively steady. The shell market price is holding near 50 cents per pound, a level that continues to guide trade activity as new-crop peanuts move into warehouses and marketing channels. Industry expectations indicate that if deliveries continue at the current rate, average yields could reach approximately 3,930 pounds per acre, a solid performance for Georgia growers.
Attention is also focused on the peanut loan program, particularly remaining inventory from last year’s crop. According to the latest figures, 32,333 tons of peanuts from the previous year remain in the loan program and still need to be sold. This is a significant improvement compared to the prior year, when loan stocks totaled 2,767 tons at a similar point in time.
If all remaining peanuts in the loan program are sold, the peanut program is expected to be fully paid back, meaning there would be no cost to the federal government. Importantly, this would also eliminate the need for peanuts to be crushed, a scenario that typically signals oversupply and weaker market conditions.
As older inventory continues to move out of the trade, the industry is now preparing to make room for newly harvested peanuts entering warehouses and the loan program. This transition period is critical for maintaining orderly marketing and supporting price stability.
Overall, Georgia’s peanut sector appears to be in a relatively balanced position, with strong delivery progress, manageable loan stocks, and stable market pricing. As the final portion of the crop is delivered, growers and industry stakeholders will be closely watching yield confirmations, market demand, and loan program activity to gauge the outlook for the months ahead.
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.