Baldwin County is well on its way to another record breaking peanut season. Despite a 26 percent drop in peanut production state-wide last year, Baldwin County topped all other counties state-wide for the second consecutive season. With area peanut harvest coming to a close, it seems once again that Baldwin County will not just exceed, but shatter state production averages.

An Aug. 1 Crop Production Survey indicated that 44 percent of peanut crops in Alabama are in good to excellent condition, however average yield state-wide this year is 2,200 pounds per acre, which is a 300 pound decrease from 2006. Last year, Baldwin County averaged 3,260 pounds per acre, which dwarfed the state average by an astounding 760 pounds.

This season, area growers are reporting yields upwards of 3,500 pounds per acre, another potentially behemoth crop when combined with this year’s higher planted acreage. The latest data indicates that, though peanut acreage planted state-wide decreased by 20 percent this season, growers in our area increased their acreage by 9 percent. Peanut production in Baldwin County has increased exponentially over the last decade, currently producing over 25 times the number of peanuts annually as were produced in 1997. Trends are beginning to show that Baldwin County farmers are not only growing more peanuts, but are apparently better at it; producing much higher yields than most other Alabama counties.

This is an astounding feat, considering that only four months ago all 67 Alabama counties were designated natural disater areas due to agricultural damage from the effects of drought. Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks predicted that losses for Alabama farmers this year would total $225 million for row crops, having a total economic impact of $1.2 billion on the state. Peanut projections have been dim, not only in Alabama, but nation-wide. The USDA predicted on March 30, that American peanut growers would plant the least amount of acreage since 1915.

Despite the ominous expectations, the market has found favor with the peanut farmer. Americans consume enough peanuts per year in peanut butter alone to completely coat the floor of the Grand Canyon. That’s around 3.3 pounds per person annually. Not only has domestic consumption of peanuts increased, but area growers have seen an expansion in the global market as well. Peanut imports have decreased from their previous all-time high in 2001, approximately 72,000 metric tons, down to 12,000 metric tons in 2005; overall an 83 percent drop in peanut imports.

With less competition from foreign growers, American peanut farmers have seen higher profit margin possibilities than ever before. If market conditions remain constant, which they rarely do for extended periods, the local farmer could find a solid opportunity in peanuts.