By Jamie Martin
American farmers are facing increasing challenges as fertilizer prices continue to rise, making it difficult for many to buy the supplies needed for the 2026 growing season. A recent national survey highlights the widespread impact of these cost pressures.
According to the survey, conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 70% of farmers said fertilizer costs are too high to purchase enough for the year. Responses came from over 5,700 farmers nationwide, reflecting concerns across diverse regions and farm sizes.
Regional differences are clear. Farmers in the southern United States report the highest level of difficulty, with nearly 80% saying they cannot afford all needed inputs. The Northeast and western regions also report high levels of strain, while farmers in the Midwest face slightly fewer challenges.
Purchasing fertilizer in advance has helped some farmers manage risk, but results remain mixed. Only a small share of southern and coastal farmers locked in purchases before the planting season. Although Midwest farmers showed higher pre-purchase rates, many still lacked full fertilizer supplies.
Global market disruptions are a key cause of rising prices. Conflicts in key regions have affected fuel and fertilizer availability, restricted supply, and increased production costs. Prices for nitrogen and urea fertilizers have increased sharply in recent weeks.
As a result, many farmers plan to apply less fertilizer this spring and wait for possible price relief later in the season. Experts warn this approach could reduce crop yields and limit available food and feed supplies.
“The skyrocketing cost of fuel and fertilizer is creating more economic hardships for farmers who have already endured years of losses. Without the necessary fertilizers, we’ll face lower yields and some farmers will reduce acres altogether, which will impact food and feed supplies.” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
“It’s too early to know how this will affect food availability and prices in the long run, but it’s a warning light that we’ve shared with leaders in Washington. We look forward to working with them to find solutions so farmers can continue to feed families across America.” said Duvall.
The survey also points to broader financial strain in the farming sector. Most respondents reported their financial situation has either worsened or remained unchanged since last year. These findings serve as a warning of ongoing economic challenges facing farmers and the potential long-term effects on agriculture and food systems.
Photo Credit: pixabay-franck-barske
Categories: National