Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormIn-shell (Unroasted)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In-shell raw peanut (cacahuate) is produced in Mexico with material production concentrated in a set of key states reported in SIAP-linked government publications. Despite domestic production, Mexico is a net importer in HS 1202 (raw groundnuts, whether or not shelled) based on trade profiles published by Mexico’s Ministry of Economy platform. For international trade in raw peanuts, food-safety compliance is heavily shaped by aflatoxin risk management and moisture control practices referenced in Codex guidance. Drought monitoring published by Mexico’s water authority underscores climate-driven variability that can disrupt supply volumes and quality in producing regions.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic production
Domestic RoleRegionally important cash crop in producing states; government communications highlight its role in supporting local farm incomes in areas such as Puebla’s Mixteca.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Clean, intact shells with low foreign matter
- Low incidence of insect damage, mold, or visibly damaged/lightweight nuts requiring removal
Compositional Metrics- Moisture / water-activity control to reduce mold growth conditions associated with aflatoxin risk
Packaging- Moisture-protective packaging and dry, ventilated storage/transport to prevent re-wetting and mold development
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (in-shell farmer stock) -> curing/drying -> threshing/separation -> cleaning/grading/defect removal -> drying to safe storage condition -> bagging -> dry storage -> transport to processors/wholesalers/exporters
Temperature- Avoid warm, humid conditions and temperature swings that drive condensation; maintain dry storage conditions to limit mold growth risk
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation is important in storage and containers to reduce localized moisture buildup and condensation
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination is a trade-stopping risk for raw peanuts; shipments can face rejection or market exclusion when aflatoxin levels exceed importing-market limits, making drying/curing, defect removal, and testing critical for export programs.Implement Codex-aligned aflatoxin prevention controls (timely drying/curing, dry storage, removal of damaged/lightweight nuts), and run pre-shipment aflatoxin testing with documented lot traceability.
Climate MediumDrought conditions monitored by Mexico’s water authority can reduce yields and increase quality defects in producing areas, raising supply variability and cost volatility for buyers relying on Mexican origin.Use CONAGUA drought updates for procurement planning; diversify sourcing across states and align contracts with storage/quality contingencies in drought years.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDestination-specific phytosanitary requirements and documentation mismatches (including phytosanitary certification conditions) can trigger holds, re-inspection, or rejection at the border.Confirm destination NPPO requirements before loading; use SENASICA’s CFI process and maintain a destination-specific document checklist per shipment.
Logistics MediumFreight disruption and port/land-border congestion can increase dwell time, raising moisture and mold exposure risk for in-shell peanuts and worsening quality outcomes.Specify dry container and moisture control measures, monitor humidity/condensation risk in transit, and prioritize routing with predictable dwell times during high-congestion periods.
Sustainability- Water stress and drought exposure in producing regions (drought conditions tracked and updated regularly by CONAGUA’s Monitor de Sequía en México)
Labor & Social- Smallholder livelihood sensitivity in some producing zones; government communications describe peanut as an income source for rural families in parts of Puebla (Mixteca).
FAQ
What is the most critical food-safety risk that can block trade of raw in-shell peanuts from Mexico?Aflatoxin contamination is the key trade-stopping risk for raw peanuts. Codex provides a specific code of practice for preventing and reducing aflatoxin in peanuts, emphasizing drying/curing, dry storage, removal of defective nuts, and controls across handling steps.
Which Mexican authority issues the international phytosanitary certificate needed for exporting regulated plant products?Mexico’s SENASICA issues the Certificado Fitosanitario Internacional (CFI) when a destination market requires it, after the exporter meets the importing country’s phytosanitary requirements and completes the required verification and payment steps.
Which states are commonly cited as major peanut-producing regions in Mexico?SIAP-linked government publications cite concentration of peanut production in states such as Chihuahua, Chiapas, Sinaloa, Puebla, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, with regional profiles also highlighting Puebla’s Mixteca as an important producing area.