Peanuts in Vietnam: History, Production, and Utilisation
Peanuts, also known as earthnuts and groundnuts, are an important source of nutrients. It has also been accepted as a staple crop across countries. Peanuts are leguminous crops which have a close association with beans and lentils. Vietnam has a huge consumption of peanuts and, consequently, is in demand.
Peanuts are ubiquitous in Vietnamese food and play a vital role not just in the economy but also in their culture. Read this blog to learn about the peanut market in Vietnam, from its history and present scenario to the future outlook.
History
Even though peanuts are used in different dishes across Vietnam, peanuts are not native to the country. Vietnam was introduced to peanuts by Portuguese and Spanish traders. The crop is native to South America.
The traders brought peanuts to the Chinese province in the 17th century. That was the time when China was ruling over Vietnam. The Chinese imbibed Vietnam with different crops and cooking techniques, making peanuts an important part of their culture and diet.
Later, different kinds of peanuts, like Indian groundnuts and Virginia peanuts, were also brought into the country via different traders. Peanuts have now become an indispensable part of Vietnamese cuisine.
Utilisation
Peanuts are utilised in different forms in Vietnam. The major utilisation of peanuts is in Vietnamese cuisine, as they add a unique richness and texture. Peanuts are sold boiled as well as in roasted form. The production of edible peanut oil is a major utilisation and has quite a demand in the market for its high smoking point.
Peanut butter is another major in-demand by-product of peanuts as it is versatile with significant health benefits.
Thus, some of the major areas where peanuts are utilised are:
Vietnamese food Peanut oil Peanut butter Production
Vietnam has become a leading producer of peanuts, but these developments are not new. The peanut industry in the country is quite huge. In 2021, Vietnam produced 430 metric tons of peanuts for both internal consumption and exports.
There are several parties involved in the production of peanuts. These peanuts are then processed and exported to different countries. Here are two main peanut exporters in Vietnam are:
AgroCrops
AgroCrops handle 150,000 tons of peanuts every year. They manage end-to-end manufacturing and exports of peanuts, root to seed. They are known for delivering Indian groundnuts of the best quality, and their processes ensure that there is a low impact on the environment. They have more than six factories worldwide, and they also have more than 5,500 trade sources.
They follow a collaborative approach to deliver the best-in-class peanuts. They focus on quality and make different finished products like oil, paste and peanut butter.
Viet Asia Foods
Viet Asia Foods is another prominent peanut exporter in Vietnam. They are known for exporting dried peanut kernels to countries like China. Their peanuts are of high quality, and they offer peanuts with different textures and flavours.
What's the Vietnam Peanut Industry Forecast?
The industry will most likely continue to grow during 2022-2028 due to the increasing awareness and the health benefits of peanuts. Vietnam has evolved as a leading producer and exporter of peanuts. Over the last five years, Vietnam has seen a significant surge in demand for groundouts and their products.
