Illinois Farmers Grapple with Rising Input Costs, Uncertainty in Fertilizer Market

Farmers in Illinois are facing significant challenges as they plan for next year's crop, including rising input costs and stagnant commodity prices. Don Guinnip, a Clark County farmer and vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, said that everything from fertilizer to diesel fuel has increased in price.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, anhydrous ammonia prices have risen 16% over last year and 23% compared to August 2024, reaching $915.50 per ton. Diammonium phosphate prices are also up, at 7% higher than a year ago and 24% above two years ago.

The price of potash has increased by 2.5% over the past year, while sulfur prices have skyrocketed from less than $100 per ton two years ago to over $1,000 per ton in recent months. Diesel fuel costs are also a major concern, with mid-August prices averaging $5.19 per gallon, about 50% higher than they were at the same time in 2024 and 2025.

Guinnip noted that these rising costs have cut into farmers' bottom lines, making it difficult to make decisions about next year's crop. The uncertainty in the fertilizer market is particularly concerning, as many farmers are waiting to see how prices will change before making their purchasing decisions.