Premium Peanut opens Santee shelling facility

Premium Peanut conducted a grand opening ceremony for what it calls “North America’s newest and most innovative peanut shelling facility,” located in Santee

The company has been working toward the expansion since 2021. The cost of the project was not divulged. However, when the company announced plans to build in Santee, it Premium Peanut said it would invest $64.3 million and create 130 jobs.

Premium Peanut said in a news release that the new shelling facility sets a new standard for innovation in the industry, expanding the company’s capacity while enhancing operational efficiency. In addition to strengthening Premium Peanut’s processing capabilities, the facility will create quality jobs and contribute to the continued growth of the Santee community, the company said.

“It is an exciting day for Premium Peanut as we celebrate the grand opening of our new shelling facility in Santee,” said Clay Garnto, president and CEO. “This achievement would not have been possible without the support of so many partners. We extend our sincere thanks to Gov. McMaster and the state of South Carolina; Secretary (Harry) Lightsey and the South Carolina Department of Commerce; Commissioner (Hugh) Weathers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture; the Orangeburg County Development Commission; the Orangeburg County Council; the South Carolina Power Team; the town of Santee; Truist Bank; numerous community development entities; and many others.”

Founded in Georgia in 2014, Premium Peanut is a grower-owned peanut shelling company consisting of more than 475 grower-owners.

“At Premium Peanut, our grower-owned model drives everything we do,” Granto said in the release. “We are dedicated to delivering greater value back to our growers, and this investment represents our commitment to fulfilling that mission.”

Weathers said the facility will fill a void for the state’s peanut growers.

“Premium Peanut’s new facility is the first peanut shelling operation in the state of South Carolina, which is a significant step forward for South Carolina’s peanut industry,” Weathers said in the release. “This facility means new value-added opportunities for South Carolina peanut growers and is an important addition to our agribusiness community.”

The company started shelling peanuts in January 2016, and has since expanded to also produce peanut oil, peanut meal, peanut hulls, and peanut seed, according to the release.

“Today’s ribbon cutting marks an important milestone for Orangeburg County as we celebrate Premium Peanut’s shelling facility now in operation,” Kenneth Middleton, chairman of the Orangeburg County Development Commission, said in the release. “Their expansion into South Carolina strengthens our agribusiness sector and creates new opportunities for our workforce. We’re proud to have Premium Peanut operating in our community and look forward to their continued success.”

Premium Peanut has paid over $120 million to its grower-owners in dividends, the release stated.

Premium Peanut says its customers consist of major domestic snack, candy, and peanut butter manufacturers, as well as customers in more than 30 countries around the world.