70% of US Farmers Can't Afford Fertilizer as Costs Spike During Planting Season

American farmers are facing a perfect storm of rising costs that threaten both their livelihoods and food prices nationwide. A survey published last week by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that around 70% of farmers cannot afford the fertilizer they need for the season.

The crisis is hitting farmers across the country. In the Mississippi Delta, farmers say their patience is wearing thin as they deal with both tariffs and skyrocketing input costs. Ohio farmers are changing their planting plans, switching from corn to soybeans because soybeans need less fertilizer.

Two main factors are driving the crisis. About a third of the world's fertilizer supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and its effective closure is causing shortages and price spikes during the crucial spring planting season. Fuel prices have also soared, adding another cost burden for farmers who need diesel for tractors and equipment.

Farmers warn this could lead to elevated food prices and lower crop yields. Some are already cutting back on fertilizer use or switching to crops that need fewer inputs, which could reduce overall food production.