The Peanut’s Journey
Peanuts grown in the Virginia-Carolinas region take a remarkable journey- starting with our farmers in the soil and ending on store shelves, ballpark stands, and dinner tables around the world. This journey follows three essential stages: Production, Processing, and Product.
The Peanut’s Journey: Production
Production
Each year, thousands of acres across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are planted with peanuts by dedicated growers who prioritize quality, sustainability, and stewardship of the land. In 2024 alone, growers across the Virginia-Carolina region produced over 439,000 tons of peanuts—contributing to the national supply of one of the world’s most sustainable and nutrient-dense crops.
The majority of peanuts grown in this region are the prized Virginia-type variety, known for their large size and satisfying crunch. These peanuts are especially popular for in-shell roasting, a process that highlights their premium quality and makes them a favorite among consumers throughout the South and beyond.
After harvest, peanuts are delivered to one of more than 75 USDA-certified buying points across the region. These locations serve as the first stop in the post-harvest journey, where nearly 600 seasonal workers help grade and inspect the crop to ensure it meets strict quality standards.
The Peanut’s Journey: Processing
Processing
Once harvested and graded, peanuts enter processing facilities where they are cleaned, sorted, and prepared for a wide variety of end uses. This stage is essential—not only for food safety and shelf life, but also to ensure that every peanut meets the high standards required for both domestic markets and international exports.
Across the three-state region, there are four commercial shelling facilities that specialize in handling Virginia-type peanuts. From these facilities, peanuts may be blanched, split, roasted, or processed into oil, flour, or paste—each step carefully monitored for quality assurance.
The region is also home to two of the nation’s leading manufacturers who roast and flavor peanuts in-shell for direct-to-consumer products. Their time-honored recipes and techniques help distinguish Virginia-Carolina peanuts on the shelves and in the snack aisle, from stadiums and festivals to specialty food stores.
The majority of peanuts grown in this region are the prized Virginia-type variety, known for their large size and satisfying crunch. These peanuts are especially popular for in-shell roasting, a process that highlights their premium quality and makes them a favorite among consumers throughout the South and beyond.
After harvest, peanuts are delivered to one of more than 75 USDA-certified buying points across the region. These locations serve as the first stop in the post-harvest journey, where nearly 600 seasonal workers help grade and inspect the crop to ensure it meets strict quality standards.
The Peanut’s Journey: Product
Product
Peanuts are one of the most versatile crops in the world—and their final forms are as diverse as the people who enjoy them. After processing, peanuts appear in a vast array of products: snack packs, energy bars, peanut butter, candies, cookies, sauces, oils, and more. They also contribute in less visible ways—like in gluten-free flour blends, animal feed, plant-based protein powders, biodiesel, and even skincare.
In the Southeastern U.S., and especially across the Virginia-Carolina region, peanuts are a source of regional pride and economic vitality. Locally grown peanuts frequently appear at farmers markets, on artisan retail shelves, and in small-batch specialty items. With more than 50 regional peanut retailers and brands, each with its own story and flavor profile, consumers have access to a wide spectrum of locally roasted, flavored, and seasoned peanuts.
Thanks to their long shelf life, affordability, and nutrient density, peanuts also serve critical roles in school nutrition programs, food relief efforts, and international trade. In 2023, total U.S. peanut exports reached a record-high value of $889.5 million, with Virginia-Carolina growers contributing significantly to that global footprint.
As they reach the final step in their journey—from a farmer’s field to someone’s pantry—peanuts bring with them a story of sustainability, innovation, and homegrown care.