Texas peanut acreage declines due to market and weather factors

Texas peanut producers have reduced their planting acreage for 2026 in response to market conditions and unfavorable weather forecasts. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, approximately 145,000 acres were planted in Texas, a decrease from 2025 levels.

Experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service attribute this shift to several factors. A large supply from an exceptional 2025 crop has pressured prices downward. Additionally, producers opted for more drought-tolerant crops due to a dry weather outlook, as peanuts require significant moisture. Organic peanut acreage also saw a 25% decline following a similar drop in prices.

Growers also faced significant environmental stress during the summer. Many peanut-growing regions experienced approximately 60 days of continuous heat, with daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit from late July through mid-September. While the hot, dry weather resulted in low disease pressure, the sustained high temperatures and nighttime heat prevented the crops from recovering.