Peanuts, same as beans and peas, are members of the legume family. Peanut harvest time is 90 to 110 days after planting for boiling types and 130 to 150 days after planting for roasting varieties (source).

Peanuts may be cultivated once or twice (depending on region) to control broadleaf weeds and grasses. Under the perfect warm weather conditions, adequate moisture, and fertile, sandy soil peanut leaves can be grown within 10–14 days after planting. It is common for farmers to follow a three-year rotation pattern, typically with cotton, corn or small grains planted on the same acreage in intervening years to reduce disease problems.

Types of Peanuts

There are different types of peanuts:

• Virginia. Virginia type has the largest seed of the four peanut types; the seed is most often roasted. There are commonly two and sometimes three seeds per pod. The Virginia type peanut is ready for harvest 130 to 150 days from harvest.
• Spanish. Spanish-type has small, roundish seeds covered with reddish-brown skin, growing on a low bush. Spanish-types are ready to harvest 120 days from planting. The Spanish-type peanut has high oil content and is used for oil, peanut butter, and snacks.
• Runner. Runner type has uniform medium-sized seeds, usually two seeds per pod, growing from a low bush. Runner types are ready for harvest 130 to 150 days from planting.
• Valencia. Valencia type has three to six small, oval seeds crowded into each pod. Each seed is covered with bright-red skin. Valencia peanuts are often roasted in-the-shell or boiled fresh and are often used in confection and cocktails.

Ok, but how are they harvested and when can I buy them?

The harvesting of peanuts usually happened in the fall, and the leaves start to yellow and it’s a two-step process. In a first instance, some industrial machines called diggers pull up the peanut plants, flips them upside down and set them back down on the row. After a few days of drying a shaker or a picker, separates the peanut pods from the rest of the plant. Finally, and before being sold, the peanuts are taken to a buying point where they’re tested and cleaned.

The conditions for peanuts to be grown and harvested are not extreme, therefore, peanuts can be found in several countries; however, the types can vary by region. We gathered all our experience and built a table that provides all the harvesting seasons around the globe.

World peanut production has fluctuated between 37.1 and 43.2 million MT (in-shell basis) over the last 5 years. The African continent has a consistent supply of peanuts all over the year especially in regions like Kenya and Nigeria.

On a global scale, the biggest exporters are China, India and Nigeria.

Nigeria has the 3rd largest production almost 3.9 million metric tons of groundnuts. The country accounts for 30% of total Africa’s nut production and for 70% of the total exports to other countries.  For that matter, Nigerian farmers are constantly adopting an improved variety of seeds and good agronomic practices to obtain high yields that help them improve their nutrition as well as incomes in the community, providing only the best quality of products. (source)

We have many years of exporting experience for organic, Agro bulk PEANUTS.  What separates TOSK Global products from the competition is our successful track record of sales and out across to a wide variety of quality and grades of products.

We can help you source your Peanuts requirements. Contact us and we would be happy to help.

Read more:

• Sustainable Agriculture – From Farm to Table
• Sesame Seeds Harvesting Seasons: A guide to learn when and where to source your sesame.
• Peanuts Harvesting Seasons: A guide to learn when and where to source peanuts.
• SOYBEANS – Healthy Meals and Biofuels – Uses Across Industries
• INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS: Container Capacity – how much a container can fit?