Texas Peanut Acreage Totaled 145,000 in 2026
Texas producers adjusted planting strategies in 2026 as market prices and weather conditions impacted the state's peanut supply.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Organic Food
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The USDA Farm Service Agency reported that Texas farmers planted 145,000 acres of peanuts in 2026. This planting season was marked by a shift away from organic crops, which saw acreage decline by 25 percent compared to 2025 levels.
Why it matters
Large supply levels from 2025 created significant downward price pressure on peanuts, leading producers to shift their planting choices. Lower commodity prices for peanuts relative to other crops also incentivized farmers to pivot toward more drought-tolerant alternatives during the season.
Organic peanut prices dropped 25 percent during the 2026 season. Farmers navigated 60 days of continuous heat stress as daily high temperatures exceeded 95 degrees F from July 21 through Sept. 18.
The players
USDA Farm Service Agency
This federal agency is responsible for collecting agricultural data and implementing farm policy across the United States.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
This research institution focuses on agricultural science and is currently developing drought-tolerant peanut lines.
The details
Growers in the Rolling Plains and West Texas have begun harvesting their crops, while those in South Texas are expected to wait until late October or November. Despite the extreme heat, disease pressure remained low for producers throughout the duration of the growing season.
Timeline
Texas produced a larger-than-normal peanut supply in 2025.
Temperatures remained above 95 degrees F from July 21 to Sept. 18, 2026.
The USDA released the peanut acreage report on Sept. 11, 2026.
South Texas growers are scheduled to begin harvest in October 2026.
Roadmap
The transition toward drought-tolerant crops reflects a broader strategic shift within the Texas agricultural sector to mitigate extreme climate volatility. This move aligns with the research focus of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeding program as it seeks to stabilize production against heat stress.
The decline in organic acreage and lower prices may lead to reduced shelf availability for organic peanut products in local markets. Consumers should anticipate shifts in local grocery pricing as the 2026 harvest cycle concludes across different regions of Texas.
The takeaway
The 2026 season demonstrates how commodity price cycles and environmental heat stress drive rapid shifts in crop selection for Texas farmers. Producers are increasingly prioritizing resilience as they manage their operations in response to shifting market and climate conditions.
What happens next
South Texas growers are expected to begin their harvest period throughout October 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about agricultural trends and market updates at the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
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