American Peanut Council

Introduction: The American Peanut Council (APC) is the trade association which represents all segments of the peanut industry. Members include peanut growers, peanut shellers, brokers, peanut product manufacturers, and suppliers of goods and services to the industry.

Headquartered in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, the APC monitors developments in the domestic and international markets and responds with a diverse array of domestic and international marketing, trade servicing, food safety, research and issues management programs. The APC maintains close working relationships with government agencies, research institutions and related peanut and agricultural trade associations.

APC produces several publications for its members. Periodically, the APC conducts market research to monitor consumer awareness of peanuts and peanut products in foreign markets. The APC also holds seminars and workshops on a wide range of technical, food safety and issues management topics. Through industry task force teams, the APC has developed standardized regulations for the use of tote bags and bar codes. In addition, a Winter Conference and the Annual USA Peanut Congress bring together all industry segments to discuss issues of mutual concern and strategies for the future.

APC leads the industry in developing best practices and training on food safety and represents the industry in crisis management – providing industry, government, media and consumers with answers to their questions on food safety issues.

APC’s Export Division, composed of peanut growers, peanut shellers and representatives of the National Peanut Board, administers the U.S. peanut industry’s export market development program. APC’s European headquarters in London, U.K., maintains contact with European customers and oversees European public relations agencies conducting promotional programs on behalf of U.S. peanuts in the key European markets. Efforts include dissemination of research results and information that demonstrates the positive health and nutritional attributes as well as the superior quality of USA peanuts. Representatives in Mexico and Canada conduct trade servicing, market research and public relations activities in those markets as well.

In addition to market promotion activities, APC’s Export Division works closely with worldwide peanut associations and international organizations to monitor technical issues and regulatory actions which could impact on the peanut trade. In cooperation with U.S. and international organizations, APC participates in discussions regarding international trade regulations in order to ensure that international standards reflect commercial practicalities.