The 2026 spring peanuts have started harvest and hit the market. Summer peanuts in major producing regions including Henan and Shandong will be gathered from late September to October, marking the full launch of new-season peanuts. Industry surveys project this season features year-on-year output decline, stable rigid consumption and tight supply of premium peanuts.
On production: China's overall peanut planting area shrinks notably, with sharp reduction in the Huanghuai core regions. Minor expansion in Northeast China cannot offset the output loss. Coupled with heat, drought and intermittent rainfall during growth, yield per mu dropped in some fields. Field assessment estimates show national total peanut output for 2026 new crop will fall roughly 6% year-on-year, tightening total supply. Current spring peanut supply remains limited; bulk supply will come when summer peanuts are harvested.
On sales & consumption: Domestic peanut demand stays steady, mainly for oil pressing and snack processing. New peanuts carry high moisture now, only small-batch deals are made for immediate needs. Traders and oil mills hold off large-scale stockpiling. Demand for edible peanuts and high-oleic peanuts is strong, with obvious premium pricing. Export market sees mild growth. Overseas buyers impose strict requirements on quality and quarantine, so selected premium peanuts enjoy stronger competitiveness, and new foreign trade orders are under negotiation.
Market outlook: Rising farming costs underpin peanut price floor. Current prices vary by quality with moderate trading. As Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day approach, downstream processors will ramp up purchasing, lifting trading volume. Industry insiders note the new crop will maintain a tight supply-demand balance. Attention should be paid to actual yield, drying weather and oil mill purchasing pace.
