Premium Peanut establishing Orangeburg County operations

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Premium Peanut is investing $64.3 million to establish operations in Orangeburg County in a move expected to create 130 jobs.  

The grower-owned peanut shelling company, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Georgia, has a plant shelling capacity of 300,000 tons, or 10% of the U.S. peanut crop, according to a news release from Central SC Alliance. The company, which serves major snack, candy and peanut butter manufacturers in more than 30 countries, added an oil mil in 2018. 

“Premium Peanut is proud of the value we have been able to create for over 400 grower-owners, in addition to providing quality products to customers around the world,” CEO Karl Zimmer said in the release. “We are thrilled to expand our operations and establish our footprint in South Carolina.” 

The new facility will increase capacity, with portions of the facility expected to be operational by spring 2022. Growers interested in learning about the company’s cooperative model can contact the company’s buying point representatives, while those interested in employment opportunities can visit the company’s careers webpage.

The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. 

“In addition to creating jobs, Premium Peanut’s new processing facility represents a dynamic value-added opportunity for South Carolina farmers,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said. “We’re thrilled at the chance to expand peanut production in the state and welcome Premium Peanut’s investment in our future.”