Projected 1% Decline in Kharif Groundnut Production

Mumbai: A report released by a leading organization, following an extensive survey across major producing states, indicates that total groundnut production for the current 2026-27 season could fall by 18% to 6.7 million tonnes (67 lakh tonnes) compared to the 2025-26 season.

According to the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council, although the national sowing area for Kharif groundnut remained steady at around 5 million hectares (50 lakh hectares)—comparable to the previous year—unfavorable weather and monsoon conditions in several regions are likely to cause the average yield to drop by 19.6%. The yield is expected to settle at 1,349 kg per hectare, down from the 1,679 kg per hectare recorded last year.

Gujarat is set to retain the top spot in terms of both yield and total groundnut production, while Andhra Pradesh is expected to record the lowest productivity rate. Following Gujarat, the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh will rank next in terms of production volume.

The Council notes that groundnut and sesame together account for over 90% of India's oilseed exports. A significant increase in sesame production is anticipated this season. The Council conducted a large-scale crop survey using remote sensing technology across the country's seven leading groundnut-producing states—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh—to estimate yield and total output.

Harvesting of the new groundnut crop is expected to gain momentum in the coming days, likely leading to a rapid rise in market arrivals.