As the Trump administration floats the possibility of additional farm assistance, U.S. growers are struggling to purchase necessary crop inputs for the 2026/2027 marketing year as evident by two reports published at the start of July.
On July 8, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released a report highlighting the discrepancies that U.S. and Brazilian farmers pay for crop inputs. The NCGA report was furnished with agriculture research firm Kynetec’s analysis and using FarmTrak and SigmaSeed data for the U.S. and Brazil for 2023 to 2025.
U.S. corn growers paid 120% and 119% more for fungicides and herbicides, respectively, than Brazilian farmers, the report found. Similarly, U.S. soybean farmers paid 133% and 109% more for fungicides and herbicides, respectively.
Additionally, U.S. corn growers paid a 68% premium for corn seeds of all types over Brazilian growers. U.S. soybean farmers fared a bit better, paying 24% more for seeds over their Brazilian counterparts.
Contributing to the price differential, Brazilian farmers relied on generics and single active ingredient crop protection products from suppliers outside of major global suppliers, while U.S. growers favored premium premixes and products from global manufacturers, according to the report.
For instance, half of Brazil’s fungicide volume is sourced from the five largest global suppliers, compared to over 75% in the U.S.
Higher input costs come as commodity prices for various grains remain weak, pinching margins and making it difficult to invest in new technology and conservation methods, the report highlighted.
“Corn farmers are on track to lose money for a fourth consecutive year. We certainly want to see higher prices for our corn – and NCGA works every day on building demand – but we can’t ignore the prices we’re paying for inputs right now. On top of the premiums we’re paying, companies are now using trade remedy laws to consolidate their market share and increase prices even further. If this trend continues, input providers will force their own customers out of business,” Matt Frostic, Michigan farmer and NCGA VP, said in a press release.
Purdue’s June Ag Economy Barometer shows continued struggles
NCGA’s report followed the release of the June 2026 Ag Economy Barometer from Purdue University and CME Group, which highlighted similar challenges to U.S. farmers. The report surveyed 400 farmers between June 15 and 19.
Almost half (41.5%) stated that high input costs were hindering their farm’s financial performance, compared to 17.3% and 14% who said low output prices and weather risks were their top concerns, respectively. Also, most farmers (52%) said that AI and data-driven tools provided no meaningful benefits to their operations, compared to 22.8% who said that it will help them increase production.
