How are Brazilian Peanuts Produced?

Peanuts are nitrogen-fixing legumes and are popular in a crop rotation system. Due to its short growth cycle, it can be grown with other annual crops within the same year. In Sao Paulo, it is often grown in rotation with sugarcane.

Brazil has made rapid advances in the mechanization of peanut production.  Brazil produces mostly runner-type peanuts. Runners are better suited to mechanical harvesting than some other varieties. The Brazilian runner types are also cultivated specifically for the Brazilian domestic market. Peanuts are popularly used in the production of confectionery, and sweets containing peanuts are popular. Brazilian runner-type peanuts have uniform, medium-sized kernels. The peanuts that are exported are often also destined for the confectionery industry.

Peanut production has been increasing at a steady rate of 8% per year over the last 5 years, to 720,000 mt in 2022/23.