• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 10, 2025

Get Your Peanuts!

Nationals Peanuts
Photo Credit: Mary Mathis-USA TODAY
Baseball might be on its way back, but 2.3 million pounds of in-shell peanuts won’t be cracked at ballparks this year. Forever linked to the sport in ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame,’ peanuts are one of the top snacks for baseball fans, which farmers eagerly anticipate.

Anticipating a season, farmers harvested the peanuts in October, shipping them to roasters. Now those roasters, who already paid the farmers, are trying to figure out what to do with hoards of unused peanuts – a specific breed with the look and size for the ballpark.

The peanut market is complex. Virginias, the breed used, are more delicate and more expensive to produce than runner peanuts, the variety used in peanut butter. With this year’s crop normally destined for ballparks currently unused, farmers also had to project how much to plant for next season.

On the plus side for baseball fans: the National Peanut Board and grocery stores are reportedly planning promotions featuring free bags. Retail sales in May for shelled Virginias were up 15% year-over-year and have remained steady. By comparison, peanut butter sales in March were up 75%.

Baseball Peanut Facts

— 14% of U.S. peanut crop are Virginias

— 20% of Virginia peanuts head to ballparks

— 8% of MiLB’s 40 million attendees buy a bag.

— 6% of fans in MLB do so.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How the Chiefs Franchise Reversed Its Fortunes

A once-downtrodden franchise is now leading the NFL in historic fashion.
Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Seats in Rotunda remain empty ahead of the Inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
exclusive

The NCAA Appears No Closer to Getting Its Coveted Congressional Wish List

A flurry of college sports stakeholders spent the week on Capitol Hill.

ESPN Faces Potential Exit from MLB Media Rights As Opt-Out Looms

A 35-year rights relationship now faces a very different media landscape.

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.