Peanuts: new varieties raise hopes

Mundus Agri.  Indian researchers are currently working on using a new hybrid technology to breed peanut varieties that are more resistant to drought and disease and are expected to provide farmers with a better income through high oil and protein content.

Slight price increases

After being stable for weeks, Indian peanut prices recovered a bit, although growth remains slow. Traders continue to cite the demand situation for peanuts and peanut oil as weak, in part because more goods are available than initially expected. Through a collaboration between Junagadh Agricultural University and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Indian researchers are currently developing hybrid technology that should lead to more resistant peanut varieties. These new varieties are expected to have higher protein and oleic acid content, thereby providing Indian farmers with a better income. 

Large crop in Sudan

In other growing countries, mixed pictures are emerging. For example, demand for peanut butter in the USA is significantly lower than usual due to the recession there, and China has cut back its peanut production, although the country is actually striving to become increasingly self-sufficient. The situation is different in Sudan, where an excellent crop of 3.2 million mt is expected. Estimated yields of 1.1 million mt in Senegal are also respectable. Argentina, meanwhile, is reporting significant price increases as China buys large quantities of peanut oil from the country.