Peanut oil, extracted from peanut seeds, is a readily digestible vegetable oil prized for its distinctive aroma, balanced fatty-acid profile and wide culinary applications. More than 80 % of its fats are unsaturated—about 41 % oleic and 38 % linoleic acid—while saturated acids (palmitic, stearic, arachidic) make up roughly 20 %. The oil also contains beneficial minor components such as phytosterols, wheat-germ phenols, phospholipids, vitamin E and choline.

       China produces over 60 % of the world’s peanut oil, making it the top producer by far. Customs data show a generally upward export trend: a sharp dip in 2022 caused by the pandemic was followed by a strong rebound in 2023.

       For January-November 2025, China exported 584.4 t of crude peanut oil, down 22.6 % year-on-year, worth US$1.47 million, down 3.2 %. Although the first half was soft, shipments gathered pace after July. October and November accounted for 39.7 % of the year’s earnings, making Q4 the peak export season. April hit the yearly low (US$21,600) while May surged to US$147,600, up 582 % month-on-month. The subsequent rollercoaster reflects both seasonality and the impact of new international testing standards.

       Media reports show that in 2025 the EU lowered its aflatoxin limit by a further 20 %, while the annual inspection pass-rate for Chinese peanut oil is 99 %. Thanks to this regulatory edge, China broke the zero-sales spell in the EU market that had lasted through 2024.

Geographic split
       Malaysia and Hong Kong, China take 74 % of export value and 87 % of volume. Canada, the United States and South Korea make up most of the remainder.

Price bands
       New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Belarus and Cabo Verde fetch up to USD 7.29 per litre. Canada, the United States, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom cluster at USD 4.45-4.87 per litre. These quality-conscious consumers are the key markets for lifting unit margins.

       Technology gaps remain—high-oleic, cold-pressed + organic, phytosterol- and vitamin-E-enriched grades still need work.

Bottom line
       With “60 % of world output, 15 % lower cost than rivals and global leadership in high-oleic varieties,” China already sets the world price for peanut oil. Bolstered by three premium lanes—high-oleic, cold-pressed and organic—export earnings will keep climbing, securing China’s role as the global “health-vegetable-oil price anchor.”

       As China's first data company, Guomaotong provides import and export customs data for over 90 countries from 2010 to present. It can accurately analyze market distribution and transaction details of import and export enterprises online, and analyze transaction volumes, prices, and supply cycles. It offers reliable data for foreign trade enterprises and industry consulting firms.

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