Year over year, the Farm Product Price Index rose 3.5% in March. The increase in the total livestock and animal products index more than offset the decline in the total crops index.
Higher prices for cattle and calves contribute to the gain in total livestock and animal products index
In March, the total livestock and animal products index was up 10.2%, marking the eighth consecutive year-over-year increase. Higher prices for cattle and calves were the main contributors to the rise in the livestock and animal products index. Tight supply of cattle and calves and strong demand from processors supported prices. These factors also resulted in a higher cattle and calves index (+22.1%) in March compared with the same month one year earlier.
Increases in the eggs index (+3.1%) and the poultry index (+1.2%) also contributed to the gain of livestock and animal products index in March, albeit to a lesser extent. The slight declines in the dairy index (-0.6%) and the hogs index (-0.4%) moderated the increases.
Lower prices for most major grains and specialty crops drive decline in crops index
In March, the total crops index declined 2.5% compared with one year earlier, due to lower prices for most major grains and specialty crops. Ample supplies of key specialty crops and major grains put downward pressure on prices compared with the same period in 2025.
The specialty crops index fell 30.9% in March 2026 compared with the same month last year. Lower prices for lentils (-40.2%), chickpeas (-31.8%) and dry peas (-24.5%) drove down the specialty crops index.
Compared with March 2025, the grains index decreased 6.9% in March 2026 on lower prices for all major grains, except corn (+0.3%). Oats (-17.8%) and durum (-16.1%) posted the largest year-over-year price declines.
In March, the fresh potatoes index fell 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Lower domestic processing demand and weaker exports in the first quarter of 2026 put downward pressure on potato prices in March.
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