By Ryan Hanrahan
AgroLatam’s Marcus Ellington reported that “American farmers are facing an estimated $2.4 billion increase in diesel expenses during the 2025-2026 planting and harvesting season, according to an analysis released in October 2026 by Democrats on the U.S. Joint Economic Committee.”
“The study projects a 68% year-over-year increase in fuel spending across five major crops, raising concerns about farm profitability as producers manage rising operating costs,” Ellington reported. “… The October findings expand on an earlier congressional assessment published in July 2026, which examined rising diesel expenses during spring planting. As reported by Agriculture.com on October 27, the updated study incorporates harvesting costs, providing a broader estimate of the financial burden facing crop producers.”
“The projected 68% increase refers specifically to estimated diesel spending for planting and harvesting the five crops analyzed, rather than a 68% increase in total farm operating expenses,” Ellington reported. The five crops analyzed were corn, soybeans, spring wheat, cotton and rice.
Successful Farming’s Mariah Squire reported that “Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota had the highest estimated dollar increases in planting and harvesting diesel costs, the study reported,” while Florida, Oklahoma and New Mexico had the highest percent increase in planting and harvesting diesel costs.
“Sixteen of the nation’s top 18 corn-growing states were included in the top 20 states affected,” Squire reported. “All of the nation’s top 18 soybean-growing states were included in the top 20 states affected.”
Source : illinois.edu