Fertilizer Affordability Crisis Deepens for U.S. Farmers, Farm Bureau Survey Finds
High prices, limited availability, and financial strain force farmers to cut inputs and reconsider crop plans
A new nationwide survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation (link) paints a troubling picture for U.S. agriculture, showing that a majority of farmers are struggling to afford fertilizer as input costs surge and global supply disruptions ripple through the market.
According to the survey, roughly 70% of farmers said they cannot afford all the fertilizer they need for the current growing season, while nearly 60% reported worsening financial conditions. The strain is widespread, with 94% of respondents indicating their financial situation is either unchanged or worse than a year ago, underscoring the depth of financial pressure across the farm economy.
The cost increases have been sharp and rapid. Farm Bureau data shows nitrogen fertilizer prices have risen more than 30% and urea prices approximately 47% since late February, while diesel fuel — another key farm input — has climbed around 46%, compounding operational costs. These increases have been driven in part by global supply disruptions tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict and constraints on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for energy and fertilizer trade.
Regionally, the burden is most severe in the South and Northeast, where about 78% and 74% of farmers, respectively, reported being unable to afford adequate fertilizer supplies. Smaller farms are particularly exposed, as they are less likely to have pre-purchased fertilizer ahead of recent price spikes and therefore face higher spot market prices.
The financial strain is already translating into operational changes. The survey found about 41% of farmers plan to reduce fertilizer application rates, a decision that could weigh on crop yields. Meanwhile, roughly 26% said they are considering switching to less fertilizer-intensive crops, signaling potential acreage shifts in the 2026 planting season.
Beyond fertilizer use, broader farm investment is also being curtailed. Nearly 30% of farmers reported delaying or canceling equipment purchases, while others indicated they are drawing down savings or increasing borrowing to manage rising input costs. This tightening liquidity environment reflects growing financial stress across both small and large operations, though smaller farms appear to be bearing a disproportionate share of the burden.
Availability remains a concern alongside affordability. While not universal, about 22% of respondents said they have had difficulty securing fertilizer when needed, particularly nitrogen products, pointing to logistical and timing challenges during a critical period for planting.
The American Farm Bureau Federation warned that these combined pressures are beginning to reshape farmer behavior and could have downstream consequences for U.S. crop production. Reduced fertilizer use, shifts in crop mix, and constrained investment all point to potential impacts on yields, acreage, and farm income in the year ahead.
As input cost volatility persists, the survey adds to growing calls within the agricultural sector for policy support, with fertilizer affordability emerging as a central risk not only to farm profitability but also to broader food supply stability in 2026.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has emphasized that roughly 80% of farmers locked in fertilizer purchases last fall, implying only a minority are directly exposed to the recent surge in prices. The apparent disconnect reflects different measures of impact. Rollins’ assessment focuses on procurement timing, suggesting most producers avoided the latest price spikes. Meanwhile, the Farm Bureau survey captures overall financial strain, indicating that even farmers who pre-booked fertilizer are still grappling with elevated costs for fuel and other inputs, tighter margins, and reduced liquidity. The combined signals point to a more nuanced reality: while many farmers may have hedged against fertilizer price volatility, a majority are still facing significant economic pressure heading into the 2026 growing season.
