U.S. peanut production is estimated at 3.69 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous forecast, but down 29 percent from 2008.

Planted area is estimated at 1.12 million acres, down 27 percent from 2008. Area harvested is estimated at 1.08 million acres, down 28 percent from the previous crop year.

Yields are estimated at 3,412 pounds per acre, up 59 pounds from the previous forecast, but down 14 pounds from 2008. Yields are down or unchanged from the previous crop year in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina. However, in Georgia, the leading peanut producing state, yield is a record high 3,530 pounds per acre.

Timely rains during the growing season, new varieties, and low disease and insect pressure contributed to Georgia's record yield.