By Ryan Hanrahan
Politico Pro’s Rachel Shin reported that “farm groups are warning that President Donald Trump’s tariff war is worsening already high fertilizer prices, making it harder for farmers to afford planting their usual amounts of corn, wheat and soybeans.”
“Agriculture industry representatives have been hesitant to publicly criticize Trump’s tariff policies. But some of them have spent the last few months quietly lobbying Republican lawmakers and administration officials to help ease the impact on fertilizer, which can account for more than 30 percent of row crop farmers’ input costs,” Shin reported. “The National Corn Growers Association and 25 state corn grower groups sent a letter earlier this month to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins asking for action to lower fertilizer prices, which they say are ‘approaching disastrous levels.'”
“‘Unfortunately, the combination of the low corn prices, trade uncertainty, and consistently high costs for fertilizers and inputs, including relevant countervailing duties, have resulted in a calamitous environment for farmers who are trying to plan for harvest and next season,'” the groups wrote,” according to Shin’s reporting.
Brownfield Ag News’ Jared White reported that farm management specialist at the University of Illinois Gary Schnitkey “says fertilizer costs are putting a squeeze on farmers planning for 2026. Gary Schnitkey says the elevated prices, primarily resulting from several global supply challenges, are outpacing stagnant commodity prices.”
Source : illinois.edu