peanut

" World production now averages nearly 26.7 million metric tons annually. While much of the production is consumed as peanut oil, a lucrative trade in edible peanuts involves about 1.25 million metric tons. As the trade of peanuts has increased, the market is mostly affected by the following factors: price, quality, on-time service to buyers and ample supplies for the market. The battle for a share of the world's market of edible peanuts is constantly changing. China is the world's largest producer of peanuts, with a two-crop annual production of about 10 million metric tons. During the past 25 years, countries vying for a share in the edible peanut market have changed completely, while production has increased slightly or, in some years, held steady. World prices for peanuts have risen from $US680/tonne to $US900/tonne in the past 12 months, driven by demand and droughts in the United States. This is just above the 20-year average of $US899/tonne."