Farmers Face Heavy Burden from Tariffs

Farmers are facing a new challenge as tariffs drive up the cost of fertilizer

and other critical supplies. Agriculture is a key part of the American economy, but the rising cost of inputs like fertilizer, pesticides, and machinery is squeezing farm budgets and making it harder for farmers to stay in business.

Fertilizer Costs on the Rise

Fertilizer often makes up over 30% of the costs for row-crop farmers who grow corn, soybeans, and wheat. Prices are already high, and tariffs are making them worse.

According to farm economist Gary Schnitkey, nitrogen fertilizer is now 10–15% higher than last year. To cope with rising costs, many farmers may cut back on fertilizer, knowing it could lead to smaller harvests.

Tariffs Add Pressure Across the Board

The tariffs don’t just affect fertilizer. They touch almost every input Virginia farmers rely on:

• Herbicides and pesticides now carry tariffs of 20% or more.

• Tractors and farm machinery face tariffs of up to 16%, with 13% on parts.

• Phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, once tariff-free, now face about 10% duties.

Overall, the average tariff rate on farm inputs has jumped from less than 1% when Trump took office to more than 12% today.

Impact on Consumers 

The squeeze is already showing up in grocery bills. In July, wholesale vegetable prices jumped nearly 40% in a single month—the steepest summer increase on record. Beef prices also surged 11% in July, nearly four times the overall food inflation rate.This means the same forces squeezing local farmers are also raising prices at the checkout line. 

Impact on Farmers & Their Families 

For many farmers and their families, tariffs mean tighter household budgets and harder choices. Rising fertilizer and feed costs leave less money for essentials like equipment repairs, family needs, and reinvestment in the next season. Farm income plays a foundational role in many rural communities across the nation. These added costs will ripple through these communities, exacerbating challenges and only making life harder for rural families.  

John Boyd Jr, a fourth generation farmer from Virginia and president of the National Black Farmers Association, shared the anxiety among local producers: 

“The farmers are calling and saying, ‘Hey, Boyd, should I plant my crop, man? This ain't looking good for us. Have you heard anything from anybody where we can get some emergency loans?’ It’s frustrating because the answer is no. We don’t have the resources to help them.”