One of the American Peanut Council’s core responsibilities is to administer an export promotion program for U.S. peanuts with the objective of increasing the consumption of U.S.-grown peanuts and peanut products internationally. The APC does not process or sell peanuts; instead, its resources are devoted to market development and dissemination of trade information on behalf of the U.S. industry.
Funding for APC export promotion activities is shared between the U.S. peanut industry and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The efforts are funded through the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development and other related programs administered by USDA. Each year, the U.S. peanut industry comes together to review and revise an international strategic plan or Unified Export Strategy (UES). The UES is then submitted to FAS for review, approval and allocation of funds. The APC, as the only organization representing all segments of the industry, is the contract holder and administrator of these funds.
Utilizing market promotion funds, the U.S. peanut industry has been able to develop new markets for U.S. peanuts, to maintain existing export markets in the face of increasing global competition and provide trade and technical support for U.S. peanut customers around the world. On average, the U.S. peanut industry exports 20-30% of the crop, and maintaining strong export markets is an important strategic priority for the entire industry.
Market Development Activities
APC's active participation in the FAS Cooperator Program began in 1978. APC, on behalf of the U.S. peanut industry and in coordination and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has undertaken market development activities throughout Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Russia and North and South America. Current markets where APC is active include:
- Canada
- Mexico
- The European Union
- Japan
- China
- Colombia
- Sub-Saharan Africa (to promote the use of ready-to-use therapeutic food and peanut products for school feeding)
The American Peanut Council also organizes an International Peanut Forum for all producing origin suppliers of peanuts. This bi-annual event is held at various locations in Europe. The 2023 IPF was held in Lisbon, Portugal, in April.
