India Cements Its Position as the World's Leading Peanut Exporter
India exported over 620,000 metric tons of groundnuts in FY2025-26, marking a 28% increase over the previous fiscal year and setting a new record for the sector. The surge has been driven by strong demand from Southeast Asian crushing units and African food processors seeking cost-effective protein sources. Gujarat and Rajasthan, which together account for nearly 72% of India's groundnut output, reported bumper harvests in the kharif and rabi seasons. With Argentina facing drought-related shortfalls and China redirecting domestic supply inward, Indian exporters have captured significant new market share. FOB Mundra pricing for 60/70 bold peanuts hovered around $1,080–$1,150/MT through Q1 2026, offering a 12–15% discount to South American origins.
SE Asia and Africa Drive Unprecedented Demand
Indonesia alone imported over 145,000 MT of Indian peanuts in 2025-26, a 32% jump driven by expanding peanut oil and snack manufacturing sectors. Vietnam's confectionery industry absorbed another 68,000 MT, preferring Indian java-count varieties for their uniform size and sweetness profile. In Africa, Senegal, Algeria, and Nigeria collectively imported 120,000 MT, with parboiled and blanched variants seeing the fastest growth. The shift away from Chinese groundnuts in African markets has been accelerated by food safety concerns and more competitive Indian pricing. Radiance Overseas has shipped over 15,000 MT to these corridors in the current fiscal, maintaining aflatoxin levels well below the 4 ppb EU threshold across all consignments.
Always request pre-shipment aflatoxin test reports (NABL-accredited) with every groundnut order. Indian exporters like Radiance Overseas routinely achieve below 2 ppb total aflatoxin, meeting EU, Japanese, and ASEAN standards without re-testing at destination.
Outlook: Can India Sustain the Momentum Through 2027?
APEDA projects India's groundnut exports could touch 700,000 MT by FY2026-27 if current acreage trends hold and monsoon forecasts remain favorable. The Indian government's continued zero-duty policy on groundnut exports and the expansion of fumigation and grading infrastructure at Mundra and Kandla ports are key enablers. New cold-chain facilities in Junagadh and Rajkot are reducing post-harvest losses by an estimated 8%, improving overall exportable surplus. Blanched peanut exports specifically have grown 40% this year as European snack manufacturers diversify supply away from Egypt. Importers looking to lock in favorable pricing should consider contracting for Q3 2026 shipments now, before the lean inter-season period tightens availability.