Contract Price, Yield, Cost, and Financial Return

Specialists Speaking

David Jordan

NORTH CAROLINA

Contract prices quoted during the last week or so in the Virginia-Carolina region are $425 and $475 per ton. The following table provides net returns with a range of yields and total costs of production at a price of $450 per ton. Derek Washburn and I provide additional tables in 2026 Peanut Information (North Carolina production guide) at https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/peanut-information with different prices for peanuts. We also include other major crops including corn, cotton, soybean, sweetpotato, tobacco, and wheat with financial returns using a range of prices, yields, and costs of production.

Derek also has an interactive tool that can help farmers make decisions on what might be the best crop option right now (https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/extension/business-planning-and-operations/enterprise-budgets/). Many farmers are considering what inputs are absolutely necessary without lowering peanut yield and quality and maximizing profit.

While reducing inputs can save money, leaving inputs off and practices out can create greater risk. It’s a difficult decision, and most growers have already scrutinized their budgets prior to this year. In the coming weeks and months, this column and posts on the NC State Extension portal will look closely at the value of inputs as we move into the cropping season. Keep in mind my perspective will be the Virginia-Carolina region, so look closer to home for the specifics to verify my suggestions with the local experts.

David Jordan

NORTH CAROLINA

Note:  enclosed photo should be used for headshot per Cassidy