In less than a decade, peanut cultivation in Brazil has undergone a significant transformation from being considered rustic and reliant on informal production chains. Farmers used to reserve a portion of harvested grains for planting—known as reserved seeds—for the next season. However, this practice has become obsolete due to increased export demand and higher consumer market standards for quality. Consequently, producers have been compelled to adopt new technologies, including the use of seeds produced under controlled conditions and in accordance with regulations set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (Mapa).
According to the São Paulo State Agriculture and Livestock Superintendence (SFA-SP), there has been a growing trend in the use of superior category seeds produced in compliance with Mapa standards. For instance, in the 2015/16 crop season, there were seven peanut seed producers registered with Mapa, cultivating over 7,926.87 hectares of fields. By the 2023/24 season, the number of registered seed producers increased to 27, covering 32,321.29 hectares—a fourfold increase in area.
These figures were presented by fiscal auditor Eduardo Gusmão, who works at the regional unit of the ministry in Marília. In late March, he visited Queiroz, a region near Tupã, to inspect a field producing genetic seeds of a peanut cultivar developed by Embrapa.
In recent years, Embrapa Cotton (Campina Grande-PB) has invested in peanut genetic improvement, introducing four new cultivars to the market and expanding options for rural producers. In addition to Embrapa, cultivars used in Brazilian peanut cultivation have been developed by the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) and the Argentine company El Carmen.
IAC, in particular, is a major contributor to peanut breeding, with most of the seeds used today originating from the institute's breeding efforts. In 2022, IAC peanut cultivars occupied 80% of São Paulo's peanut fields. Overall, the country utilizes between 25 and 26 varieties.
Of the 27 registered producers of certified seeds listed with Mapa, 25 are located in São Paulo, one in Mato Grosso, and another in Goiás, according to agronomist Guilherme Uitdewilligen. He serves as the technical manager of a company in Tupã and previously worked at Coplana in Jaboticabal, one of the largest peanut producers in the country. São Paulo accounts for 90% of Brazil's peanut plantations. The four main producing regions, according to the Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA), are Tupã, Marília, Jaboticabal, and Presidente Prudente, each yielding over 3 million 25-kilo sacks per season.
According to Guilherme, the sector has experienced a "gigantic evolution" in recent years. The cultivated area for peanuts has increased from 160 to 180 thousand hectares in 2015 to over 300 thousand hectares this year. "And the trend is upwards because peanuts are not a commodity, and prices are not falling," he said.
The agronomist estimates that between 65% and 70% of the cultivated area in the country utilizes certified seeds, ensuring high-quality raw materials. "Producers have realized that using better seeds results in a different crop quality," he stated. Another advantage is the technical support provided by certified seed suppliers. "If a farmer uses saved grain and encounters problems, there is nowhere to complain. Certified seeds offer more security," Guilherme continued.
Peanuts are typically planted once a year, usually at the beginning of the rainy season—September or October, extending to November or December. Depending on the variety, harvesting can be early, around 120 to 125 days, or later, around 150 days.
According to Guilherme, 70% of peanuts produced in Brazil are exported, while 30% remain in the domestic market. Per capita consumption in the country is 1.1 kilograms per year, compared to 6 kilograms per year in the United States and 13 kilograms per year in China. "The idea is to stimulate domestic consumption so that production is not overly dependent on exports," he said.
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