Groundnuts (peanuts) production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 52,000 t of groundnuts (peanuts), the 40th largest in the world (0.09% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 30%. The record was 573,100 t in 1974. Area harvested: 41,200 ha, yield 1.3 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 52,000 t
- World rank
- 40 of 107
- 10-year change
- −30%
- Record
- 573,100 t
- 1974
Groundnuts (peanuts) in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.09%
- 0.16% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 1.3
- world 1.8 (−32%)
- kg per person
- 0.81
- world 7.05
- 10-year change
- −30%
- world +24%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Madagascar | 58,610 | 0.10% |
| 39 | Gambia | 52,642 | 0.09% |
| 40 | South Africa | 52,000 | 0.09% |
| 41 | Togo | 46,000 | 0.08% |
| 42 | Taiwan | 38,000 | 0.07% |
Map of world production of groundnuts (peanuts)
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 52,000 | −1.9% | 41,200 | 1.26 |
| 2023 | 53,000 | +9.3% | 31,300 | 1.69 |
| 2022 | 48,500 | −25% | 43,400 | 1.12 |
| 2021 | 64,300 | +28% | 38,550 | 1.67 |
| 2020 | 50,080 | +158% | 37,500 | 1.34 |
| 2019 | 19,400 | −66% | 20,050 | 0.97 |
| 2018 | 57,000 | −38% | 56,300 | 1.01 |
| 2017 | 92,050 | +421% | 56,000 | 1.64 |
| 2016 | 17,680 | −72% | 22,600 | 0.78 |
| 2015 | 62,300 | −16% | 58,000 | 1.07 |
| 2014 | 74,500 | +80% | 52,125 | 1.43 |
| 2013 | 41,500 | −30% | 46,900 | 0.88 |
| 2012 | 59,000 | −8.2% | 45,450 | 1.30 |
| 2011 | 64,250 | −27% | 55,150 | 1.17 |
| 2010 | 88,000 | −12% | 57,450 | 1.53 |
| 2009 | 99,500 | +12% | 54,550 | 1.82 |
| 2008 | 88,800 | +53% | 54,200 | 1.64 |
| 2007 | 58,000 | −22% | 40,770 | 1.42 |
| 2006 | 74,000 | +16% | 48,550 | 1.52 |
| 2005 | 64,000 | −44% | 40,000 | 1.60 |
| 2004 | 115,000 | +72% | 71,500 | 1.61 |
| 2003 | 66,934 | −50% | 49,850 | 1.34 |
| 2002 | 133,730 | −40% | 94,160 | 1.42 |
| 2001 | 222,319 | +63% | 165,000 | 1.35 |
| 2000 | 136,128 | −17% | 82,600 | 1.65 |
| 1999 | 163,260 | +51% | 94,550 | 1.73 |
| 1998 | 108,442 | −31% | 59,000 | 1.84 |
| 1997 | 157,876 | −27% | 95,000 | 1.66 |
| 1996 | 215,857 | +84% | 135,000 | 1.60 |
| 1995 | 117,288 | −33% | 107,000 | 1.10 |
| 1994 | 174,600 | +16% | 135,000 | 1.29 |
| 1993 | 150,700 | +13% | 198,000 | 0.76 |
| 1992 | 132,800 | +1.1% | 245,000 | 0.54 |
| 1991 | 131,300 | +1.1% | 104,000 | 1.26 |
| 1990 | 129,900 | −31% | 106,000 | 1.23 |
| 1989 | 188,100 | −28% | 178,000 | 1.06 |
| 1988 | 261,200 | +90% | 231,000 | 1.13 |
| 1987 | 137,300 | +11% | 193,000 | 0.71 |
| 1986 | 123,900 | −40% | 236,000 | 0.53 |
| 1985 | 207,500 | +167% | 237,000 | 0.88 |
| 1984 | 77,600 | −17% | 246,000 | 0.32 |
| 1983 | 94,000 | −25% | 235,000 | 0.40 |
| 1982 | 125,400 | −62% | 245,000 | 0.51 |
| 1981 | 332,800 | −12% | 306,000 | 1.09 |
| 1980 | 377,600 | +86% | 352,000 | 1.07 |
| 1979 | 203,000 | −37% | 294,000 | 0.69 |
| 1978 | 320,900 | +31% | 226,000 | 1.42 |
| 1977 | 244,800 | +62% | 185,000 | 1.32 |
| 1976 | 150,700 | −43% | 186,000 | 0.81 |
| 1975 | 262,700 | −54% | 244,000 | 1.08 |
| 1974 | 573,100 | +184% | 364,000 | 1.57 |
| 1973 | 201,500 | −52% | 235,000 | 0.86 |
| 1972 | 420,900 | +5.2% | 345,000 | 1.22 |
| 1971 | 400,000 | +23% | 373,000 | 1.07 |
| 1970 | 325,400 | −11% | 393,000 | 0.83 |
| 1969 | 365,700 | +51% | 341,000 | 1.07 |
| 1968 | 241,800 | −45% | 328,000 | 0.74 |
| 1967 | 443,300 | +108% | 271,000 | 1.64 |
| 1966 | 213,400 | +3.6% | 256,000 | 0.83 |
| 1965 | 206,000 | −5.5% | 256,000 | 0.80 |
| 1964 | 217,900 | −21% | 345,000 | 0.63 |
| 1963 | 274,600 | +44% | 323,000 | 0.85 |
| 1962 | 191,000 | −29% | 251,000 | 0.76 |
| 1961 | 268,700 | — | 306,000 | 0.88 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,318 t USD 2.7 m
- Exporter rank
- 23 of 95
- Imports
- 2,465 t USD 987,000
- Importer rank
- 23 of 141
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of groundnuts (peanuts) in South Africa?
South Africa produced 52,000 t in 2024, 0.09% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of groundnuts (peanuts)?
South Africa ranked 40th of 107 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 34.1% of the world total.
How has the production of groundnuts (peanuts) in South Africa changed?
It fell by 30% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +24% for the world. The record was 573,100 t in 1974.
What is the yield of groundnuts (peanuts) in South Africa?
1.3 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (52,000 t from 41,200 ha), against a world average of 1.8 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import groundnuts, excluding shelled?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 1,318 t (USD 2.7 m) and imports of 2,465 t (USD 987,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.