South Africa Peanut Market Overview, 2030

South Africa’s peanut industry is characterized by a two-tiered structure, in which smallholder farming in Limpopo Province is crucial alongside larger commercial operations in the Northern Cape and Free State. Smallholder farmers in Limpopo, who typically farm on plots smaller than 2 hectares, grow peanuts as part of a mixed agriculture system that also includes maize, beans, and vegetables, depending on rainfall and employing manual labor or low-technology methods suited to the regional climate and soils. Their production serves both household needs and extra sales in local towns, where inconsistent quality and quantity hinder reliable supply to official retail outlets. Rather than formal markets, a significant portion of peanuts from Limpopo enters the informal snacking sector, an ingrained market where street vendors, traders at taxi ranks, and participants at local events sell roasted, salted, and seasoned peanuts, either loose or in small plastic bags. This market thrives due to its affordability, freshness, and relationships between producers and consumers, which avoid the costs associated with packaging, marketing, and certifications required in formal retail. In metropolitan areas like Johannesburg and Pretoria, informal sellers obtain bulk raw or roasted peanuts from regional wholesalers, including those from Limpopo, and then divide them up for commuters and market-goers. Although informal sales dominate the visibility of peanuts, larger processors in major producing regions manage shelling, blanching, roasting, and packaging for supermarkets, convenience shops, and export opportunities, often mixing peanuts from Limpopo with commercial batches. The food safety regulations governing informal trade are much less stringent compared to the regulated formal sector, where testing for aflatoxins, allergen labeling, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices are mandated by national standards. Various development organizations and provincial agricultural departments focus on supporting Limpopo's smallholders by providing training on improved seed utilization, pest management, and post-harvest techniques to enhance both yield and quality, striving to integrate them into higher-value markets.

According to the research report, ""South Africa Peanut Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa Peanut market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.30% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The peanut market in South Africa is seeing consistent growth driven by demand in the snacks and candy sectors, influenced by changing consumer tastes towards plant-based protein, affordable treats, and flavors that are culturally familiar. Roasted peanuts, peanut brittle, chocolate-covered options, and peanut ingredients in energy bars and cookies are becoming more common in supermarkets, convenience stores, and online shopping, with urban middle-class consumers showing a clear preference for clean-label and portion-controlled packaging. This growth is supported by the food standards set by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DAFF, which establish guidelines for grading, limits on aflatoxins, and safe handling practices, ensuring that peanuts in official markets meet health and quality standards. South African Bureau of Standards SABS enforces labeling regulations in accordance with local and Codex Alimentarius guidelines, demanding transparent allergen information, ingredient lists, nutritional facts, and, when relevant, statements about the country of origin. Adhering to these regulations is essential for processors and brand owners to gain access to better retail markets and to sustain consumer confidence in a landscape where food safety knowledge is growing. Although the informal sector remains lively, especially for loose roasted peanuts sold by street vendors, the formal snacks and candy sector benefits from established branding, consistent shelf life, and the capability to introduce new flavors like peri-peri, honey-roast, and salted-caramel. Market experts predict that the snacks sector in South Africa will increase by more than 4% CAGR until 2030, with peanuts maintaining a significant market share due to their adaptability, nutritional benefits, and competitive pricing compared to tree nuts.

The raw peanut industry in South Africa by product type is divided into Raw Peanuts and Processed Peanuts is primarily based in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, which offer ideal climate and soil conditions for commercial peanut farming. These areas provide the majority of the nation's raw peanuts, with operations ranging from small family farms to larger commercial enterprises. The oversight of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development DALRRD ensures that agricultural standards are met, including quality, traceability, and food safety regulations. Peanuts collected from these regions are regularly graded, cleaned, and stored in controlled environments to maintain their quality and reduce the risk of contamination, particularly from aflatoxins, a major concern for local use and export. After harvesting, raw peanuts are transformed into various products catering to both consumer and industry needs. In the food sector, they can be roasted, salted, or flavored and sold as snacks, used in sweets, or processed into peanut butter. This transformation increases the value of the raw peanuts while addressing the rising consumer preference for convenient foods. Peanut oil is extracted from the nuts and is used for cooking and industrial purposes. The residual peanut meal is commonly utilized as a protein booster in animal feed, contributing to livestock farming and sustainability in agriculture. South Africa’s peanut production is characterized by its dedication to high-quality growth under DALRRD supervision and varied processing into snacks, oils, and peanut butter. This framework promotes both local consumption and value-added food production, underscoring the significance of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga regions as vital players in the country's peanut sector.

In South Africa, peanuts market by application is divided into food, animal feed, and industrial industries, highlighting their adaptability and significance to the economy. In the food and beverages F&B industry, they are commonly enjoyed as snacks in forms such as roasted, salted, or seasoned, and are also used in sweets, baked items, and peanut butter. These uses respond to increasing consumer preferences for easy-to-eat, ready-to-serve, protein-rich snacks found in supermarkets, shops, and informal markets. Peanuts in the F&B sector undergo processing to maintain uniformity in quality, flavor, and safety, adhering to regulations from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development DALRRD and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries DAFF, which ensure food safety, traceability, and crop standards. In terms to being consumed directly, peanuts are converted into meal or press cake, mainly for animal feed. Peanut meal is rich in protein and aids in raising livestock and poultry, promoting sustainable farming by using by-products from oil extraction and reducing waste. This feed role is vital for both commercial and small farming operations, ensuring peanuts provide benefits beyond human consumption. Peanut oil is another significant use, found in cooking and industries like cosmetics. In the kitchen, it serves purposes like frying or in salad dressings, while industrial uses involve skincare and personal care products. The extraction and processing of oil are regulated by DALRRD and DAFF to maintain safety, quality, and correct labeling. The uses of peanuts in South Africa range from snacks and F&B products to animal feed and oil for various applications, all under strict regulatory supervision. This wide-ranging use enhances the crop's value while ensuring safety, quality, and flexibility in different markets.

In South Africa, peanuts market by distribution channel is divided into B2C and B2B channels, catering to different consumer and industry demands. For the B2C market, peanuts are available to households and individual buyers mainly through supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and shops in townships. This segment is characterized by packaged items like roasted, salted, and flavored peanuts, as well as peanut butter and snack blends, which indicate a rising demand for convenient, ready-to-eat, protein-packed snacks. The township trade is vital in informal markets, offering low-cost and accessible peanut products to consumers with lower and middle incomes, while modern retail outlets present premium, branded, and enhanced choices. Furthermore, e-commerce and online grocery platforms are increasingly enhancing traditional distribution methods, broadening the availability of peanut goods to urban and peri-urban shoppers looking for ease and variety. The B2B distribution system involves processors, manufacturers, and exporters who acquire raw peanuts for further transformation into items like snacks, peanut butter, oils, and animal feed. Processors cater to both domestic and global markets, ensuring peanuts are turned into high-quality, long-lasting products. Exporters depend on regulatory certification to comply with international standards, while local processors supply bakeries, confectioneries, and food service providers. Government oversight by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development DALRRD ensures quality and traceability from farms to processors, and the South African Bureau of Standards SABS regulates packaging, labeling, and food safety compliance. South Africa's peanut distribution showcases a dual-channel framework B2C township and supermarket systems drive consumer interest, while B2B processors and exporters serve industrial and global markets. Both systems function under the supervision of DALRRD and SABS, ensuring product integrity, safety, and consistency throughout the distribution chain, supporting local consumption and enhanced exports.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Peanut Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Raw Peanuts
• Processed Peanuts

By applications
• Food & Beverages
• Animal Feed
• Industrial (Peanut Oil for Biofuel, Cosmetics)

By Distribution Channel
• B2C
• B2B Show more