_ Seeds Have Been Sown in the Southern Hemisphere / 02
_
Market Trends
_ The King of Oils / 06
. More than half the peanuts in China are consumed as oil. We talked about this huge market with Felix Yu, from the Tianxiang Group.
_ Register Now for the 2025 International Peanut Forum / 14
Peanut Market Data
_ Charts & Tables / 17
Laws and Regulations
_ Where Are the Peanuts Coming From? / 20
. The EU is revising its labeling regulations. Will it become mandatory to indicate the country of origin for all foods?.
_
Peanut Farming
_ Farming Peanuts in Senegal / 28
. The crop is very important as a source of cash for the local farmers; the government aims to foster the value added by the local oil industry .
_ Peanut Growers Embrace Regenerative Agriculture in Argentina / 34
. A new program employing Bayer’s ForwardFarming platform was announced in November.
Nº 14
Seeds Have Been Sown in the Southern Hemisphere
While crops from the Northern Hemisphere are in the barn and being traded at full swing, Argentina and Brazil have finished their planting operations, confirming increased areas in both countries. Competing crops were not offering good revenues this season, while peanuts were at a “highprice momentum”, a combination that clearly explains why both South American countries decided to expand the number of hectares.
Weather so far has been generally favorable, although 2025 started with some challenges, especially for Argentina, with heat waves for two weeks in January and scarce rains in a big area of the peanut zone.
There is little doubt that prices are now moving back to more normal levels after a longer than expected high-price period. These moments with the market moving downward are normally quiet ones, as the demand is waiting for the best moment to buy.
Planting costs are tough, setting a bottom limit to the market to allow for breakeven on the investment. Nevertheless, Mr Market always talks, and these days we are all waiting to learn what he has to tell us.
In this issue of World Peanut Magazine we will look at one of the biggest markets of the world for our industry – peanut oil in China – thanks to an interview with Felix Yu, General Manager of Qingdao Tianxiang Foods Group. In just a few months all peanut professionals will have the chance to meet again at the classic International Peanut Forum, this year in the beautiful Spanish city of Seville. Senegal is one of the most important producers in Africa; we will discuss the peanut news there with Daniel Fonceka. We then celebrate a significant event for sustainability with the participation of Bayer and Prodeman in Argentina, and, finally, we take a close look at labeling regulations on country of origin in the EU.
_ Market Trends
This section of the wpm deals with the dynamics of the demand and supply of peanuts in the international markets. We will try to keep track of the changes in peanut consumption in the main areas of the world, the factors that can affect production, and the price shifts of the various peanut products.
_ Industrial Processing
This area of the magazine focuses on shellers as well as companies transforming peanuts into consumer products. We will focus on current industry standards, quality issues, new technologies and the different industrial solutions adopted by producing countries. A special section will be dedicated to new products and tools for peanut processing developed by the best manufacturers.
_ Science and Technology
The activities of the universities and other research institutes engaged in scientific research on peanuts are of paramount importance for the future of the business. We will follow the main discoveries, from the latest issues concerning peanut genetics to the development of projects on pathogens or the impact of peanut consumption on human health. The consequences of scientific research on the future of the industry are hard to overstate, so we will be putting them in perspective in order to try to understand where the sector is heading in the long term.
_ Laws and Regulations
The Laws and Regulations section of World Peanut Magazine analyses the impact of new legislation and regulations affecting the production and trade of peanuts. The main issues treated in this section are governmental measures directly affecting international trade (such as the introduction of tariffs or quotas), health safety issues (such as the establishment of Maximum Residue Limits for certain substances) but also legislation impacting distribution, packaging and sales.
_ Peanut as a Superfood
This section offers peanut professionals news and insights into the world of peanut consumption and all its aspects. Typical news is related to findings concerning the nutritional values of peanuts, the impact of peanut consumption on human health, and the development of peanut-based food.
_ Peanut Farming
The primary production is where the peanut business starts, of course, so we will have a dedicated section for all events, activities, techniques and equipment related to growing peanuts in different parts of the world. The general idea is to bring farming in the producing countries closer to all peanut professionals so that they can have a better grasp of the business from a grower’s perspective and maybe on what the future of peanut farming may look like.
The King of Oils
More than half the peanuts in China are consumed as oil.
As we all know, the majority of peanuts in China are consumed in the form of oil, so in this issue of World Peanut Magazine we decided to focus on this product and talk with a market expert: Felix Yu, the General Manager of Qingdao Tianxiang Foods Group Co Ltd, an important peanut oil manufacturer and distributor.
We talked about this huge market with Felix Yu, General Manager of Qingdao Tianxiang Foods Group Co. Ltd.
Felix, what is the status of the oil market in China?
The peanut oil market in China has entered the stage of refinement and deep cultivation, and the per capita consumption expenditure shows an increasing trend year by year. However, the coronavirus epidemic in the past three years is causing a reduction of consumption in China. Peanut oil, as a high-end oil, has been especially impacted. We hope in the future the economic environment will improve and restore people’s confidence; we still have to be confident in the consumption of peanut oil
Are there geographic differences in China in terms of peanut oil consumption?
Consumers tend to choose higher quality peanut oil, especially higholeic peanut oil which is favored for its high nutritional value. But there are regional consumption differences. Consumption of peanut oil in China is mainly concentrated in economically developed provinces and cities, especially in traditional peanut producing areas such as Guangdong and Shandong, where consumers are more inclined to buy fresh products and adopt traditional cooking methods. While the consumption in big cities is prominent, the year-on-year growth rate of the market has been widespread, showing the penetration and growth of peanut oil in a wider region.
How would you characterize different consumer groups?
The married family is the main consumer group of peanut oil, especially people in the 30–40 age bracket. Young people under the age of 30, especially Generation Z, have the fastest growth rate for peanut oil consumption, showing the branded market development potential in this young group.
Peanut oil is not only popular in China for its rich aroma and diverse culinary applicability, but also shows a continuous growth trend due to consumers’ continuous pursuit of health and quality. Brands and producers need to pay attention to these trends and constantly innovate and improve product quality to meet the growing market demand. The consumption of peanut oil as a percentage of the total edible oils has been about 9% in 2023; while it is not the largest single oil source, it is definitely an important component.
What are the main advantages of peanut oil?
Peanut oil is considered a high-quality oil and has many benefits. First, it is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which help maintain good cardiovascular health and can lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Peanut oil is also a good source of linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is also good for heart health. Secondly, peanut oil can enhance the body's immunity. Peanut oil contains a certain amount of vitamin E and other antioxidants, which can help the body defend against free radical damage, thereby boosting the function of the immune system. In addition, peanut oil contains several ingredients that have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce the body’s inflammatory response and cut the risk of chronic diseases. Peanut oil is also a very stable oil. In the process of high-temperature cooking and frying, it is less likely to be oxidized and decomposed to produce harmful substances. This is due to the antioxidants and other components in peanut oil that can help protect the oil molecules so they are not easily damaged. Finally, the taste and aroma of peanut oil is very good. In cooking and frying, peanut oil can add rich aroma and taste, and is widely used in the cooking of various dishes. In short, peanut oil is a very good edible oil, it is rich in mono -
unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and other antioxidants, can boost the body’s immunity, maintain cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and is also a very stable and delicious oil.
Is it used mainly for frying? What other uses?
Yes, mainly for frying. Peanut oil has a high smoke point and is suitable for high-temperature cooking of deep-fried foods, such as stir-fries, French fries and baked pastries. But peanut oil has other uses: for example, adding an appropriate amount of peanut oil to steamed rice can make the rice grain clear, while increasing the elasticity of the rice and its crystal-clear appearance. It is also used to dispel wind and relieve coughs: for children with stomach wind or a mild cold cough, you can use peanut oil to wipe the abdomen or make oil soup to help dispel wind and relieve symptoms. A common trick when cooking porridge is to drop a little peanut oil into the pot; this can effectively prevent porridge water overflow and keep the kitchen clean. These are just a few examples of the wisdom of the Chinese, which fully takes advantage of the potential of peanut oil and its versatility.
What peanut oil segments would you identify in the market?
The peanut oil market can be segmented according to different criteria. If we look at the main product forms we have: Crude peanut oil: peanut oil which has not been refined retains more of its natural ingredients and is usually less expensive. Refined peanut oil: peanut oil after high-temperature treatment, less impurities, suitable for wide use.
Blended oil: peanut oil is mixed with other vegetable oils to improve oil performance and reduce costs. We can, however, segment the market according to the main use: Personal care products: such as facial care, massage oil, etc.
Drugs: as a component of drugs, such as oil made into medicinal food.
Food: used directly in cooking or as a food additive.
These market segments demonstrate the wide application potential of peanut oil in different fields and product forms, meeting the diverse needs of consumers.
What can you tell me about high-oleic oil?
It has definitely been in high demand in the Chinese market in recent years. Its main features are:
Lower cholesterol: High-oleic peanut oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), which can help protect the good cholesterol in the body while lowering the level of bad cholesterol, thus helping to lower blood pressure and blood lipids.
Intestinal health: high-oleic peanut oil can also help moisten the bowel, and has a certain auxiliary treatment effect for constipation caused by intestinal dryness.
High nutritional value: Compared with ordinary peanut oil, high-oleic acid peanut oil has higher nutritional value because it contains more unsaturated fatty acids, which is very beneficial to human health.
High heat resistance: high-oleic acid peanut oil has a higher boiling point, so there is less risk of producing harmful substances in high-temperature cooking (such as frying).
Rich flavor: Peanut oil with high-oleic acid can provide a more fragrant taste in cooking and enhance the flavor of dishes. In conclusion, peanut oil with high-oleic acid can not only help to improve blood indexes, but also improve the taste and nutri-
tional value of food, making it a relatively healthy choice of edible oil. Due to its relatively high price, however, the current audience is mostly at the high end of the market.
So, would you say high-oleic peanut oil is a niche? Or a large part of the market?
In recent years, the high-oleic peanut oil market has developed rapidly and become an emerging and important force in the edible oil market. From 2018 to 2020, China has successfully cultivated and launched a large number of high-oleic peanut varieties, and the number has increased year by year; the production of high-oleic peanuts reached about 980,000 tons in 2020. The high-oleic peanut oil products launched by brands such as Luhua and Happy Swallow have been very popular with consumers, which has promoted the further development of the market.
For the high-quality peanut market, do you employ roasted peanuts? Can you talk about the production process?
In the high-quality peanut market, roasted peanuts are indeed a common product form. Roasted peanuts are popular among consumers because of their unique aroma and taste. Not only
are they consumed as a snack alone, they are also commonly used as a cooking ingredient to add flavor to salads, stir-fries or baked goods. Uses are very diverse. With the promotion of health awareness and the pursuit of traditional tastes, the market demand for high-quality roasted peanuts continues to rise.
What are the retail prices of the different peanut oil categories? What about other edible oils?
Peanut oil is often sold in 5-liter packaging, retailing for $14–25 depending on the quality, while other vegetable oils, such as sunflower, corn and canola, also sold in 5-liter units, can be purchased at prices in the $8.5–16.5 range. Soybean oil is a little cheaper, in the $8.5–12.5 range. Olive oil is the most expensive; a half-liter bottle can be bought for $7–$27.
Are the origins of the peanuts relevant? Whether they come from the US, Argentina, Brazil or Africa?
Yes, usually peanuts from Brazil and Argentina are used for snacks and high-oleic peanut oil, because they have good antioxidant properties. USA, India and Africa mostly export peanuts to China for crushing due to the high oil content, usually 45%, in some cases even over 48%.
Can you talk about your brands in the market?
Luhua is a well-known edible oil brand in China; it is famous for its high-quality peanut oil products, such as Luhua 5S, pressed first-grade peanut oil, etc. In addition, it also actively expands the market of healthy oils such as high-oleic peanut oil. The Jing Long Yu brand covers a variety of edible oil categories, including soybean oil, corn oil, blended oil, etc, with a rich product line and a high market share.
Fulinmen is a brand with a wide range of products; it has a certain market share in peanut oil, soybean oil and other fields, and is trusted by consumers for its stable product quality. Finally, Happy Swallow, founded in 1985 in Qingdao City, is China’s wellknown trademark.
What are the current consumption trends?
With increased health awareness among consumers, attention over the nutritional content and health value of edible oil is increasing, and customers are more inclined to choose healthy edible oil that is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, low in cholesterol and contains no additives. The market demand for healthy oils such as high-oleic peanut oil and olive oil is on the rise. Consumers are also demonstrating higher and higher requirements for the quality and taste of edible oil, and are willing to pay higher prices for high-quality, distinctive high-end edible oil. This has prompted edible oil companies to continuously improve product quality and production technology, and launch more high-end products to meet market demand. Finally, customers’ dietary structure is becoming more and more diversified, and the demand for different types of edible oil is also more abundant, no longer limited to traditional peanut oil, soybean oil, etc. The consumption of corn oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil and other specialty edible oils has gradually increased, and the market has shown a trend of diversification. The growth of online consumption is also a remarkable trend; the popularity of the internet and the development of ecommerce platforms have made online purchase of edible oil a choice for more and more consumers.
Register now for the 2025 International Peanut Forum
Join global peanut leaders as they converge on Seville, Spain, 9-11 April, for the 2025 International Peanut Forum (IPF).
Detailed information and links for registration, hotel accommodation and sponsorship opportunities can be found at the ipf webpage.
The ipf provides an ideal opportunity to network and conduct business with current and potential customers and suppliers, as well as a platform to discuss issues and opportunities concerning the peanut industry with farmers, shellers, exporters, brokers, dealers, manufacturers and service suppliers from around the world. Key speakers will share their knowledge of how we can help shape the future of the sector and increase global consumption.
The 2025 ipf conference program will cover vital areas of interest to all parts of the peanut supply chain, including research updates, market trends and new product development, and the ever-popular supply and demand panels. Open to the world’s peanut industry, ipf is an excellent opportunity to network with peanut leaders from all segments of the industry. Buyers, suppliers and service providers will be out in force!
If you’d like to increase your company’s visibility within the worldwide peanut industry, consider a sponsorship package to promote your services, products and brand to key decision makers. Your logo will be included on all ipf mailings and promotional materials before, during and after the event. There are options to suit all budgets and information on the categories, benefits and prices can be found here.
New to the conference this year will be more networking time and space. ipf will open early on the morning of Wednesday April 9, with a dedicated networking meeting room, including coffee/tea service, available throughout the day for those wanting to make the most of the increased networking time. There will be three days of exhibitions from Wednesday through to Friday morning. The Welcome Reception takes place on Wednesday evening, with another reception on Thursday evening, allowing time for delegates to go out for dinner afterwards and enjoy the sights and sounds of Seville. Conference sessions will be held on the mornings of April 10 and 11, with afternoons free for private business meetings. The ipf will close after lunch on Friday April 11.
Don’t miss out on the world’s leading peanut event – Register now! We look forward to seeing you in Seville this April.
Time-stressed delegates can take advantage of the ipf app to network online prior to the event to set up meeting times, exchange information and keep up to date with the conference schedule and speakers, highlighting those topics they don’t want to miss.
The 2025 ipf takes place at the Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento hotel and convention center. ipf delegates are encouraged to stay at the hotel to ensure they receive the ipf discounted rate. The hotel will honor the ipf room rate for a few days prior to and following the forum for those delegates wishing to extend their stay and explore Seville. Delegates can book their hotel once they register for the ipf . Book early to ensure a room within the ipf block.
De la mano de 3UV Supreme y gracias a la cooperación de MANIAGRO SA, 3U Vision desembarcó en el segmento Maní Argentino.
Los tres unidos, entendiendo que el verdadero crecimiento surge cuando la innovación tecnológica se combina con la visión de transformar el futuro.
3UV Supreme Sas
Sorting Solutions
Teresa Frua 1292
Río Cuarto, Córdoba, AR www.3uvision.com +54 9 358 4329010
Rosana Zuliani
Gerente de Ventas rosanabzuliani@3uvsupreme.com
peanut exports of brazil - kernels (mt 1202.42 + 2008.11)
eu 27 imports, tm (shelled - hs 1202.42) &
eu 27 imports, tm (prepared - hs 2008.11)
TOTAL JAN-NOV 26949,846 - 25866,163
china future prices (settle value - rbm)
peanut exports of argentina - kernels (mt)
Where Are the Peanuts Coming From?
The EU is revising its labeling regulations.
Will it become mandatory to indicate the country of origin for all foods?
The European Union as an economic bloc is the largest importer of peanuts in the world and its consumers have long proved that they really enjoy this healthy and good-tasting product. But do they know where their peanuts come from?
While several foods are covered by specific EU regulations in terms of country-of-origin labeling, in general, there is no existing legislation requiring the inclusion of this type of information on labels. In fact, article 26 of Regulation 1169 of 2011, wholly dedicated to this issue, simply states that the, “Indication of the country of origin or place of provenance shall be mandatory: where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food, in particular, if the information accompanying the food or the label as a whole would otherwise imply that the food has a different country of origin or place of provenance” (an additional case is that of meat, in certain circumstances). So, for example, if a company were to market a cheese made in Spain showcasing a French flag, the label should indicate the actual country of origin to avoid misleading consumers. In 2018 the law was partially updated by Regulation 775, which detailed some of the aspects of displaying the country of origin when applicable (for example, font size, area of the label, etc). Among the new requirements introduced in 2018 (applying since 2020), was an indication of the origin of the main ingredient (more than 50% of the food) when it differs from the origin of the product as a whole.
For various foods, specific legislation already required the country of origin: fresh fruit, different kinds of meat , honey, olive oil, eggs, and fishery products, while other foods, namely certain processed fruit and vegetable products, as well as nuts and dried fruits and trimmed, processed and cut produce, such as packs of ready-to-eat salad, require country-of-origin labeling from January 1, 2025. A different issue, of course, is the EU-protected geographical indication (see box on page 24 ) which aims to recognize the origin as if it were intellectual property, thus guaranteeing the product’s authenticity and protecting its name from misuse or imitation.
According to studies and surveys, the geographical origin of the food purchased is considered very important information by consumers in Europe. A report by Eurobarometer, a leading source of trends within public opinion in the EU, showed that country of origin was the most important factor when purchasing food for 46% of respondents. Only two other elements were considered more important: cost by 54% of respondents, and taste by 51%. A similar conclusion was reached by a research study on country-of-origin labeling for certain meats, conducted for the Director General for Agriculture and Rural Development in 2020: “There is a perceived increase in consumer interest in country-of-origin information across all meat products and market segments. This includes increased interest in origin labeling for meat sold loose and meat sold through the food service/catering sector.”
According to an additional report, prepared by the EU Parliament and released in December 2024, the information regarding the origin of the food, “serves two main purposes. First, many consumers believe that country-of-origin information is useful for identifying good quality, safe and environmentally friendly food products. Second, some consumers feel that it is their duty to support their local or national farmers and food industry, and they need information about the country of origin of food products to be able to fulfil this obligation …”
With the launching of the Farm to Fork program by the EU Commission in 2020, the issue of the country of origin in labels as a general rule was again considered by the Commission. No proposal ever emerged, however, and at present it remains unclear whether it will be put forward at all. Last November, the European Court of Auditors released its report on food labeling. The objective was to establish whether current norms and practices regarding label information actually help consumers make informed decisions over the purchase of food. The conclusion was that, “food labelling in the EU generally supports informed consumer choices but has notable gaps in the legal framework and weaknesses in monitoring, reporting, and enforcement. These gaps can lead to confusing or misleading labels that consumers do not always understand.”
As far as country of origin is concerned, the report underscores that the Commission did not follow through with its declared intention to consider a proposal regarding country-of-origin information as included in the Farm to Fork declarations, and observes that seven member states (Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal and Finland) have already adopted national legislation on the subject, causing “unequal consumer access to some food-related information across the EU”
At this time there is still no mandatory information regarding country of origin for peanuts, but potential new regulations on labeling definitely seem to be on the agenda for 2025.
EU Geographical Indications
There are three categories of geographical indications
_ Protected designation of origin (PDO) can be used for food and wine, where every part of the process takes place in the specific region. Kalamata olive oil is an example.
_ Protected geographical indication (PGI) can be used for food and wine, where a product is made in a particular region using a particular method, but the raw materials are not necessarily from that region. For example, Westfälischer Knochenschinken ham is produced in Westphalia using traditional techniques, but the meat used does not necessarily come from animals born and reared in that specific region of Germany.
_ Geographical indication of spirit drinks (GI, same logo as PGI) can be used where at least one distillation or preparation stage takes place in a particular region. Raw materials do not have to originate in that region. For instance, Irish whiskey has been distilled and matured in Ireland since the sixth century, but the raw materials do not all come from Ireland.
Source: “Food origin labelling: Developments and issues”, Briefing by the European Parliament, December 2024
Overview of EU regulations on label
Source: European Court of Auditors, “Food Labelling in the EU”, November 2024
Main Countries of Origin and their share in the EU market (Shelled peanuts - MT) Jan-Nov 2024
Source: Eurostat
Farming Peanuts in Senegal
The crop is very important as a source of cash for the local farmers; the government aims to foster the value added by the local oil industry.
Senegal, located on the western coast of Africa, is one of the most important peanut-producing countries on the continent and a fundamental provider for China and other foreign buyers.
Daniel Fonceka , a scientist affiliated with cirad, the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement, founded in 1984 by the government of France, has been working with peanuts for more than a decade and is currently breeding new varieties to foster Senegal’s peanut production.
We asked him to talk to us about the challenges of the sector.
We talked to Daniel Fonceka, a scientists affiliated with cirad, Senegal.
Daniel, can you provide us with an estimate of the total planted area and production in Senegal?
Peanut in Senegal goes way back. Peanut farming started here more than 100 years ago, during the colonization period and Senegal used to be the leading peanut producer in the world, mostly for oil production. So, this crop is very important and makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy. The planted area is usually between 1 to 1.2 million hectares but the yield is relatively low, about 1 metric tons per hectare for a total annual production ranging between 0.8 to 1.5 million tons, depending on the year. West Africa is subject to droughts so obviously the yield goes down dramatically in years with little rain.
What can you tell us about the organization of the production?
Most of the production is performed by small producers. Most of the lots are in the 1 to 5 hectares range. You can find some bigger growers, but not large corporations as in the US or Argentina. The mechanization technology available is very old. It consists of small machinery with animal traction, a technology that was developed in the beginning of peanut cultivation and I do not think it has changed much. We are still using the same type of mechanization. The small number of tractors available for plowing are used by the bigger producers, which represent a relatively small percentage of the total area.
When is the harvest?
Usually mid-October until the end of November. We are in the drying period right now and do not have the final statistics of the overall production yet.
Is there any competition among crops for soil?
No, peanut is one of the main crops and the one that usually ensures cash for the growers, way much more than cotton, for example.
Which are the most important cultivars?
The most important one, representing about 30% of the peanut area, is the Virginia type 73-33, with a 105 to 110 days cycle. It is quite an old variety and has been around for more than 60 years now. The second one is a Spanish type: 55-47, mostly used for oil production; it accounts for 20 to 25% of the total. Another important one, covering maybe 10 to 15%, is the 28-206, also a Virginia type, with a little longer cycle; it is very old, probably more than a century, but farmers like it a lot.
What are the main challenges, diseases and other sanitary issues?
This is very crucial. The seed system is not very strong and the farmers are mostly producing their own seeds from one season to another. The system has a very low capacity for providing good quality seeds of improved varieties. As a consequence, the varieties that are grown are very old ones. Sometimes they are 50 or 60 years old. It is very complicated to get the new commercial varieties we have to the farmers. Another important issue is getting fertilizers to the farmers; it is very expensive for them and always arrives late so there are problems in the application. Another major issue is soil fertility; because of the pressure of the cities and towns, the fields are sometimes overwhelmed. Farmers rotate peanuts with millet but the main problem is that they grow peanuts or millet every year and always export the biomass, taking away from the soil without ever giving back in terms of nutrients and fertilizing elements. The weed is also a big issue; herbicide usage is rare and sometimes leads to strong competition between weeds and crops. The disease pressure is not that high; we do have some leafspot, but not much and mostly located in the South. We certainly have an issue with aflatoxin contamination, which is probably the biggest problem we have in peanuts, both pre-harvest and post-harvest contamination. And this is the reason why we are not selling peanuts in Europe, for example. The European market is totally closed, but we can sell to the Chinese.
Yes, China is a very important destination. How is this trade organized?
Mostly the Chinese companies are directly collecting the peanuts from the small growers. They have a number of units in the country so they purchase the peanuts, they shell them, and export to China. There is not a lot of value added there, probably not the best way to optimize the value of the crop.
I understand there is currently a ban on peanut exports?
Yes, there is a new government, installed this year, which is trying to restrict the exports to some degree. We have some oil companies, one is the state-owned Sonacos, and some private ones as well. In the last few years, they have been struggling to purchase the peanuts because the Chinese offer better prices. So, there are two points of view on this policy: it can be good for the oil companies, but it can be bad for the farmers because they get a lower price. Also, the payment mechanism is more favorable to farmers when they sell to the Chinese, who pay cash in the field, while the oil companies get the production and then pay three to four months later. Considering all this, I am not sure that the government will keep the ban in place for long because the farmers may get very angry about it. The next presidential election is in five years, allowing the government time to develop a system that balances local peanut value-addition and exportation.
Going back to aflatoxin … as a scientist you worked on a specific project targeting this problem. What do you think the prospects are for the future?
As we all know, it is not an easy problem to solve. The countries that manage to reduce aflatoxin contamination get the most results in the post-harvest side. It is very complicated. Here in the Peanut Innovation Lab, we have people working on the compound that they found on the peanut skin that can prevent the development of the fungus – which may lead to interesting discoveries. So, we cannot say we have made much progress in developing resistant varieties yet, but there are prospects of getting closer to a solution, at least a partial one.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Peanut is very important as a cash crop for farmers in Senegal. But we need to improve a lot on the seed side, with a stronger production and distribution system. We also must work to improve the export side, developing local industries.
Peanut Growers Embrace Regenerative Agriculture in Argentina
A new program employing Bayer’s ForwardFarming platform was announced in November.
Bayer’s second ForwardFarming program in Argentina was launched last November in the province of Cordoba and its focus is on peanut growing in partnership with Prodeman, one of Argentina’s major exporters.
ForwardFarming is a platform created by the German company five years ago to promote regenerative agriculture systems while enhancing production efficiency, working with farmers and other operators.
“We are convinced that a holistic focus toward a modern agriculture alongside a continuous knowledge feedback among all actors within the value chain will benefit everyone,” explained Juan Farinati, CEO and President of Bayer Southern Cone, the South American region that includes Argentina.
Throughout the ForwardFarming network we cooperate with independent farmers to prove that tailor-made solutions and the application of the latest information technology and best practices, along with strategic alliances, may empower producers to manage successful businesses which are also sustainable. “Our partnership with Prodeman,” he continued, “represents a significant step toward regenerative agriculture by integrating sustainable practices with a long-term perspective, leading to optimal agriculture systems for challenging crops, as is the case of peanuts.”
With ForwardFarming, Bayer transfers knowledge and fosters communication and exchange of ideas with farmers on the main topics and initiatives concerning sustainability and regenerative agriculture.
Ivana Cavigliasso, a Prodeman executive, said that the company’s, “participation in Bayer’s ForwardFarming represents a commitment toward our most important asset: the soil. The global platform challenges us to implement agricultural practices that respect and regenerate the fields and to share what we do right with others. It is a great opportunity to strengthen our determination to produce while also taking good care of our communities and ensuring that peanuts remain a vital food for the future.”
The partnership with Prodeman was announced officially in November in the town of General Cabrera, right in the heart of Argentina’s peanut area, during an event specially dedicated to ForwardFarming. Besides the representatives from Bayer, Prodeman and other peanut growers from the area, government officials such as Marcos Blanda, secretary of Agriculture for the Province of Cordoba, and Beatriz Giraudo, vice president of the INTA (the National Institute of Agriculture Technology), also assisted. During the event, four different stations offered demonstrations regarding the main elements of the program: regenerative agriculture, good agriculture practices, digitalization and the employment of airborne applications.
The ForwardFarming platform currently operates in 12 countries with more than 25 farming companies implementing innovative technologies and sustainable practices. As of today, it received more than 33,000 visits, reflecting the growing interest in these solutions, which, while improving productivity, also protect natural resources.
This issue of the World Peanut Magazine has been completed thanks to the efforts of:
Tracy Grondine
Louise McKerchar
USA
American Peanut Council
Jane Zheng
China
Qingdao Shengde Foods Co.
LTD
Kishore Tanna
India
iopepc
Felix Yu
China
Tianxiang Group Ltd.
Daniel Fonceka
Senegal CIRAD
Gabriela Alcorta
Soledad Bossio
Javier Martinetto
Edoardo Fracanzani
Sebastián Della Giustina
Argentina
cam (Argentina Peanut Chamber)
Graphic Design and illustrations. ese-estudio.com.ar · @ese.estudio.ok
Typography. Journalist by Sergio Rodriguez / Work Sans by Wei
