Global Nuts Market Summary.

• U.S. peanut plantings for 2026 are projected to decline 22 percent to 1.53 million acres, largely because stronger returns from competing crops, particularly cotton, encouraged farmers to shift acreage. The largest reductions occurred in Texas and Georgia, two of the country's major peanut-producing states.
• As a result, peanut production is forecast to fall by approximately 20 percent to 2.87 million tons. The decline reflects both reduced planted area and expected yield trends. Despite lower production, ending stocks are expected to increase sharply by 81 percent to 1.41 million tons, supported by the record harvest achieved in 2025.
• The episode explains that abundant inventories have weighed on the market, contributing to an 11 percent decline in average peanut prices during the 2025-26 marketing year. The current reduction in acreage is viewed as a market-driven effort to rebalance supply and gradually reduce excess inventories.
• The discussion concludes by highlighting that traders and industry participants are closely watching upcoming USDA updates for revised production and stock estimates. These reports will be important in determining whether tighter production can support a more balanced market and improve price prospects for peanut growers.