With record numbers, Argentina leads global peanut exports

According to data released by the Argentinian Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishing, the South American country consolidated its position as the largest global peanut exporter, with a reported 23 percent market share.

Argentina not only dominates the shelled peanuts and byproducts markets, but also ranks 5th in the world in exporting the legume’s oil and other preparations.

In a press release, the Secretary of the Argentine government stated that sales abroad in 2024 reached nearly $1.2 billion, setting a 22-year record for the industry. This represents a 12 percent expansion compared to 2023.

Just in the first half of 2025, Argentina exported 322,000 tons of peanuts and byproducts, generating a total of $487 million. This represents a 29 percent increase in quantities and a 14 percent rise in value compared to the same period last year.

Globally, China, India, and Nigeria lead shelled peanut production, whereas Argentina takes the 8th place with 1.48 million tons cultivated on over a million acres, under the hands of around 900 growers.

The Argentine supply chain generates approximately 12,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, and nearly all of the production is destined for sale in foreign markets. Shelled peanuts go mainly to the Netherlands, the UK, and Poland, while the legume’s unrefined oil goes to China and the U.S. Meanwhile, other peanut preparations hit markets in the UK, Israel, Australia, Chile, Nigeria, and New Zealand.

Peanut production is mainly located in the southwest of the Córdoba province, accounting for between 72 and 75 percent of the overall planted area. That’s where 90 percent of peanut refinement takes place. The industry has also expanded to Buenos Aires (14 percent), La Pampa (4 percent), and San Luis (3 percent), among other provinces.

At the time of writing, 1,300 acres have been planted for the 2024/2025 campaign. This represents a 23.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year, with production volume reaching 1.8 million tons. Currently, around 87 percent of the planted area has been harvested.

With these results, Argentina not only keeps its leadership in the global peanut market but also strengthens its role as a reliable supplier of high-quality products for the main international markets. 

Peanuts around the world

Peanut cultivation thrives in the warm weather of Asia, Africa, Australia, and North and South America. Most of the global production comes from China, India, Nigeria, the U.S., Sudan, Burma, Argentina, and Senegal.

Global peanut production reached approximately 45 million metric tons a year, according to the National Peanut Board. Likewise, global peanut exports are an estimated 3.6 million metric tons.

*Photos courtesy of Argentina’s Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishing.