Georgia Peanut Crop Expected To Be Lowest In Years

The peanut fields may be ripe for picking, but the pickings are going to be a little bit slim this year in Georgia.

Severe draught conditions have led to a peanut crop that will likely yield a little more than half the average collection.

Which in turn, could lead to higher prices for peanut products for consumers. 

Don Koehler of the Georgia Peanut Commission says to expect to see close to a 30% increase in the price things like peanut butter. 

Warbington Farms in Dooly county has noticed the shortage their harvest. Most of their fields yield around one ton of peanuts. This year, many of their fields have only produced 400 to 950 pounds on average.

“In the years when you have severe stress like we’re having now, it’s not uncommon. And it’s probably as bad as I’ve seen it in a long time,” Teel Warbington says.

Warbington says, not only does the draught create a smaller crop, the dry weather also causes a type of mold to develop on the peanuts. That mold makes the peanuts uneditable, therefore creating an even larger amount that cannot be used.

“It’s just been a difficult year to produce,” Warbington says.

Many of the fields on the Warbington’s farm, have only had two to three inches of rain fall on them this year. In order for a full peanut crop to grow, the plant needs nearly two inches of rain per week.