Georgia-based American Peanut Growers Group (APGG) is investing $85 million to expand its operations in the state, which will encompass new food processing operations, enabling APGG to manufacture peanut paste, granules, peanut butter, and roasted peanuts for its customers. In addition to expanding its current Donalsonville shelling plant, APGG will open a new 135,000-sq-ft food processing facility on its 45-acre campus in Seminole County. The company will also invest in additional shelling equipment as it expands its operations, which will create 90 jobs.
A grower-owned company, American Peanut Growers Group produces approximately 200,000 tons of peanuts per year. In addition to local buyers in south Georgia, APGG utilizes the Port of Savannah to reach many customers around the world. APGG’s customers include major confectioners, peanut butter manufacturers, and snack-nut roasters.
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“We are extremely excited about this project and the opportunities it will provide for economic growth in southwest Georgia,” says Jeremy Mayes, general manager of American Peanut Growers Ingredients. “Per capita, peanut consumption has risen to an all-time high for the second year in a row, which presents an ideal situation allowing us to further drive value through the industry’s supply chain. We are thankful for our farmer-owners demonstrating their willingness to invest in the project and community. Likewise, the support of city and county officials, as well as local industries, has allowed us to move quickly on our infrastructure needs.”
In 2020, Georgia peanuts were planted on more than 800,000 acres throughout Georgia and accounted for 53% of peanut production in the United States. Seventy-six of Georgia’s 159 counties have peanut farms, with an average yield of more than 4,100 pounds per acre.
