Middle East and Africa Peanut Market Outlook, 2030

The Middle East and Africa peanut market has evolved through a mix of tradition, large-scale production, and growing regional demand. Africa stands out as one of the largest peanut-growing regions in the world, with Nigeria and Sudan leading output. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria consistently ranks among the top three global peanut producers, contributing more than 4.5 million metric tons annually, while Sudan remains one of the largest exporters of raw shelled peanuts. The cultivation of peanuts has deep roots in African farming systems, where they are grown largely by smallholder farmers and serve as both a cash crop and a food crop, strengthening rural incomes and employment. Beyond their economic role, peanuts have long held historical significance in African diets, providing affordable protein in regions where meat is less accessible. They are used in traditional dishes such as Nigeria’s groundnut soup, Senegal’s “maafe” peanut stew, and widely in confectionery and street snacks across West Africa. In addition to household cooking, peanut oil plays a major role in food preparation across Sub-Saharan Africa. For millions of farming families, peanuts remain a cornerstone of livelihood and food security, forming part of crop rotation systems that sustain soil fertility. In the Middle East, peanut consumption is smaller but steadily rising, driven by the introduction of peanut butter, confectionery, and roasted snacks in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where international diets are becoming mainstream. While Africa dominates in production, the integration of peanuts into Middle Eastern diets signals a gradual expansion of the regional market. Alongside raw exports, the focus on value-added formats like roasted peanuts, flavored snacks, and spreads reflects a growing trend that strengthens the peanut market’s contribution to local economies and global supply chains.

According to the research report ""Middle East and Africa Peanuts Peanut Market Outlook, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Middle East and Africa Peanuts Peanut market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.55% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The market study of peanuts in the Middle East and Africa highlights strong export orientation from African producers and the gradual shift towards value addition. Nigeria, Sudan, and Senegal are major exporters, supplying raw and processed peanuts to Europe and Asia, with Sudan being among the leading exporters to China. According to ITC Trade Map, Senegal exported over 500,000 metric tons of groundnuts in 2022, reflecting its strategic role in global supply chains. Peanut processing hubs have been developing in Nigeria and South Africa, with the latter expanding its peanut butter and snack segments through local brands that cater to urban consumers. Domestically, the demand for packaged peanut-based foods is rising, particularly in growing cities where lifestyles favor ready-to-eat snacks. Peanut oil continues to be a key product, not only for edible use but also for industrial purposes such as soap manufacturing in parts of West Africa. Urbanization is driving a noticeable rise in the popularity of peanut butter, which was once considered a Western import but is now produced locally at scale in countries like South Africa and Egypt. Trade routes also link African producers to Middle Eastern buyers, with peanuts increasingly entering Gulf markets through regional distributors. Investments in farming technology and post-harvest infrastructure are improving yields and quality, supported by initiatives like the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) promoting aflatoxin management. Certifications such as HACCP and ISO are helping African peanuts meet global standards, boosting competitiveness in export markets. Regional trade agreements under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are expected to further ease peanut trade flows within the continent and beyond.

Market Drivers

• High Peanut Production in Africa:Nigeria, Sudan, and Senegal are among the largest peanut producers globally, with Nigeria alone producing over 4.5 million metric tons annually, according to FAO data. The abundance of raw material creates a strong supply base for both domestic use and export markets. This large-scale production is supported by smallholder farmers who rely heavily on peanuts for income and food security, making the crop central to rural economies and sustaining Africa’s position as a key global supplier.
• Growing Urban Snack Consumption:Rapid urbanization across Africa and the Middle East is fueling the demand for packaged snacks and peanut-based products. In cities like Lagos, Cairo, and Johannesburg, roasted peanuts, peanut butter, and confectionery have become popular due to affordability and convenience. Rising middle-class populations are shifting towards protein-rich snacks, and peanuts provide a cost-effective option compared to alternatives like almonds or cashews. This growing consumer base is pushing local brands to expand their peanut snack offerings.

Market Challenges

• Aflatoxin Contamination Issues:One of the major challenges facing the peanut market in Africa is aflatoxin contamination caused by poor post-harvest handling and storage. According to ICRISAT studies, aflatoxin has been a barrier to exporting African peanuts to high-value markets in Europe and North America. Contamination affects both consumer safety and trade competitiveness, leading to frequent rejections of shipments. Addressing this challenge requires modern storage infrastructure and strict quality monitoring systems.
• Limited Processing and Value Addition:Although Africa produces a large share of the world’s peanuts, much of it is exported in raw form with limited value addition. Inadequate processing capacity and lack of investment in modern technology prevent African countries from fully capitalizing on higher-margin products like peanut butter, roasted snacks, and peanut oil. This limits local employment opportunities and reduces profitability for farmers compared to countries with advanced processing industries.

Market Trends

• Rising Popularity of Peanut Butter:Peanut butter is gaining strong traction in urban markets across Africa and the Middle East. Once considered a Western product, it is now produced locally by brands in South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria. According to USDA trade data, peanut butter imports into Gulf countries like the UAE have also increased steadily in the past five years. This reflects a shift in consumer diets towards spreads and convenience foods enriched with protein.
• Shift Towards Certified and Traceable Exports:African peanut exporters are increasingly adopting certifications like HACCP, ISO, and Fairtrade to meet global quality standards. Senegal and Sudan, in particular, are focusing on traceability systems to maintain competitiveness in the European and Asian markets. This trend is helping African peanuts move beyond bulk raw exports toward premium categories, where buyers demand assurance on safety and sustainability. Such practices also support long-term access to high-value trade routes.

Raw peanuts hold the largest position in the Middle East and Africa because they form the foundation of trade, processing, and consumption, serving both household use and industrial requirements across the region.

Many African countries such as Nigeria, Sudan, and Senegal are among the world’s top peanut producers, and most of their output is traded in raw form before being processed locally or exported to international buyers. Sudan, for example, has long been a major supplier of raw peanuts to markets in the Middle East and Asia, shipping thousands of tons each year through Port Sudan. In West Africa, Nigeria’s raw peanut production supports both domestic food industries and exports to neighboring countries. Within the Middle East, raw peanuts are imported by trading hubs like the United Arab Emirates, where Dubai acts as a re-export center for nuts and dried fruits across the Gulf region. Raw peanuts are versatile and used in multiple ways, including direct roasting, pressing for oil, and as an ingredient in confectionery or bakery items. In rural African households, raw peanuts are often boiled, ground into pastes, or incorporated into local dishes such as Nigerian groundnut stew or Sudanese peanut sauce, showing their cultural importance. At the same time, raw peanuts are purchased in bulk by traders and processors who then convert them into roasted snacks, peanut butter, or flour for wider distribution. Because they represent the starting point for both traditional consumption and industrial applications, raw peanuts remain the dominant product type in the Middle East and Africa peanut market.

Food and beverages dominate peanut applications in the Middle East and Africa because peanuts are deeply rooted in both traditional diets and modern food processing, making them essential across households, restaurants, and packaged food industries.

In Africa, peanuts are a staple food and form part of daily diets in many countries, where they are consumed boiled, roasted, or incorporated into meals. Groundnut soups and stews are common in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, while peanut sauce is a key element in East African cuisines such as Ugandan or Tanzanian dishes. In Sudan and Senegal, peanuts are widely used in sauces and porridges, highlighting their central role in nutrition. The Middle East also has a strong tradition of peanut use in sweets and snacks, with peanuts being incorporated into confectionery items like halva, nougat, and chocolate-coated nuts. Packaged roasted peanuts and flavored varieties are highly popular in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where convenience snacks are in high demand among young consumers. Multinational food companies and local manufacturers use peanuts in chocolates, energy bars, and bakery products, while peanut oil is also valued in cooking due to its flavor and frying stability. As global food trends influence the region, peanuts are increasingly appearing in plant-based protein products and health-oriented foods, expanding their role in the modern packaged food sector. From traditional African stews to modern Middle Eastern snack aisles, the widespread use of peanuts in food and beverages explains why this application is the strongest and fastest growing across the region.

B2B channels are significant in the Middle East and Africa because peanuts primarily move through wholesale trade, import-export hubs, and bulk supply systems that serve processors, manufacturers, and foodservice businesses.

A large share of peanut trade in Africa begins at the farmer level, where peanuts are sold in raw form to local traders who consolidate supply and channel it to domestic processors or export buyers. In countries like Nigeria and Sudan, peanuts are transported to processing facilities where they are cleaned, graded, and packaged before being sold in bulk to food manufacturers or oil producers. Export hubs such as Port Sudan and Lagos handle large shipments destined for Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Within the Middle East, B2B distribution dominates in wholesale markets like Dubai’s Al Aweer and Saudi Arabia’s nut trading centers, where peanuts are imported in large volumes from Africa or South America and distributed to processors, retailers, and hospitality businesses. Food manufacturers and confectionery companies in the region depend on steady B2B supply chains to secure peanuts for snack products, chocolates, and bakery lines. Hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses also rely on bulk B2B distributors to source peanuts for both international and traditional recipes. Because peanuts are mostly traded, processed, and distributed in bulk before reaching end consumers, B2B remains the backbone of peanut distribution in the Middle East and Africa market.

Saudi Arabia leads the MEA peanut market due to its dominant production and consumption of peanut butter driven by its purchasing power, market size, and strong domestic manufacturing infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia stands out across the Middle East and Africa because it produces the highest volume of peanut butter in the region, backed by both demand and local manufacturing capabilities. In 2024, it accounted for about 36,000 tonnes of production making up approximately 77 percent of total regional output. This volume places Saudi Arabia ahead of all its peers, including Iran and Turkey. The Kingdom also leads in consumption, absorbing an estimated 51,000 tonnes, which constitutes an impressive 66 percent of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s total peanut butter demand. Per capita consumption in Saudi Arabia stands at approximately 1.4 kg, matching the UAE and surpassing other Gulf countries. This substantial domestic demand is supported by strong retail ecosystems and rising health awareness, as Saudi consumers increasingly view peanut butter as a protein-rich, convenient snack. Production growth has continued steadily over the past decade, rising nearly 67 percent from 2014 levels. Meanwhile, imports remain moderate relative to production, helping to maintain stable prices and local supply chains. This unique combination of large-scale domestic production, consistently high consumer demand, and a robust market infrastructure including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and growing online retail solidifies Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the region’s peanut market.

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