Iran War Sends US Farmers to Brink as Costs Soar
US farmers are facing their worst crisis in decades due to rising costs of diesel and fertiliser triggered by President Donald Trump's war on Iran.
The conflict has pushed grain producers to the brink, with many struggling after years of low grain prices and falling incomes. Matt Bailey, a corn and soybean grower in Eastern Nebraska, said inputs are 'way out of whack' due to the sharp increase in costs.
Bailey pointed out that 11-52-0 fertiliser, which was priced at $US470 a tonne 10 years ago, now costs over $US900 ($1260). He questioned how farmers can budget for such high prices. The huge uptick in fuel and crop nutrient prices since the US launched its attack on Iran has added to the struggles of American farmers.
A recent study by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that without government assistance, farmers growing nine principal crops would lose $US31 billion this year and $US32 billion in 2027. The losses for corn producers would stand at $US131 per acre ($US53 per hectare) this year, rising to $US167 in 2027.