The European Groundnut Association encourages and promotes the trade in groundnuts and facilitates the supply chain of groundnuts. We protect our members and build a networking forum. We represent our industry and speak with stakeholders, such as trade and branch organisations, NGOs and governmental organisations. We inform our members with developments relevant for the trade, such as legislation and regulations.

The European Groundnut Association discusses with EU committees on European regulations around food safety, import tariffs, pesticides and other trade issues.

The European Groundnut Association provides standard contracts and an arbitration system for dispute resolution via the Netherlands Oils, Fats and Oilseeds Trade Association (NOFOTA).

The board consist of the following members:

Ernst de Wijs
President (Pronut)

Floris van Soest
Treasurer
(All Round Cargo Handling)

Esther Laane
(Agrolab Dr. Verwey)

Ron van Noord
Secretary General

The European Groundnut Association was founded on 4 November 1994 after the Dutch Groundnut Association and the Arbeitskreis Erdnuss (AKE) joined forces.

Groundnuts, also called peanuts, are widely consumed in the European market. They can be used in a wide range of food products. They are sold in either pod or kernel form. Groundnuts are not real nuts, but a domesticated legume that belongs to the Arachis hypogaea species. They are often classified as both a grain legume and an oil crop due to their high oil content. For trade and food consumption purposes, groundnuts are mostly grouped with real nuts and not with legumes.

Peanuts can be grown in most soils, except in saline ones because they have low salt tolerance. It is a self-pollinated crop with a growing period of about 5 months. Some countries, such as Brazil, can grow two crops per year. Groundnuts have a fatty acid and nutrient composition very close to oilseeds. The crop is cultivated for direct human consumption, high-quality edible oil and animal fodder.

There are two main types of groundnuts used in Europe: Runner and Virginia. Two other types are Spanish and Valencia-type peanuts. Runners are smaller and mostly used for peanut butter production as they have a stronger flavour. Virginia peanuts are larger and often used for roasting and snacking. Spanish peanuts are smaller and have high oil content. This is important for confectionery and snacks.