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U.S. Farmers Go on High Alert After Losses Exceed $50 Billion and Fear Widespread Farm Collapse Due to Tariffs, Frozen Exports, and Record Crop Yield Driving Prices Down

Published on 16/02/2026 at 13:21
Updated on 16/02/2026 at 13:22
Agricultores dos EUA acumulam perdas de US$ 50 bilhões, enfrentam tarifas, queda nas exportações e excesso de produção de milho.
Agricultores dos EUA acumulam perdas de US$ 50 bilhões, enfrentam tarifas, queda nas exportações e excesso de produção de milho.
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With Net Losses Exceeding US$ 50 Billion In Three Years, Agricultural Exports Above US$ 9 Billion Threatened In Minnesota, Record Harvest Of 17 Billion Bushels Pressuring Prices And Direct Impact Of Tariffs On Markets Like China, US Farmers Warn Of Risk Of Widespread Collapse In The Field

US Farmers in the state of Minnesota are demanding a solution for foreign trade in light of estimated net losses of more than US$ 50 billion over the past three agricultural years, the risk of “widespread collapse,” and direct impacts on exports, a record production of 17 billion bushels of corn, and international markets.

The pressure occurs far from urban confrontations between protesters and ICE agents. In rural Minnesota, producers are facing rising costs, surplus harvests, and the consequences of an international tariff war that threatens the sustainability of farms and rural communities.

A letter dated February 3, signed by concerned agricultural experts from the US, was sent to the House Agriculture Committee. The document warns of a possible “widespread collapse” and calls for serious dialogue to develop real, long-term solutions.

“Few tragedies are greater than the loss of a family farm,” states the letter addressed to the committee that includes Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Angie Craig. The text highlights the need to recognize the impacts on rural America.

Days later, Klobuchar was in Mower County, a planned site for a state-of-the-art agricultural research complex. She met with agricultural associations from Minnesota, including representatives from soybean and corn producers.

The senator addressed the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on local farmers. According to her, one third of Minnesota’s agricultural industry revolves around international exports, including China.

In 2024, China spent US$ 1.7 billion on Minnesota soybeans before halting purchases for much of last year in retaliation against the tariffs. Subsequently, it agreed to resume purchases, although at volumes still below half of the previous year.

“If we don’t have these markets, I don’t know what will happen,” warned Rodney Moe, a farm association representative who attended the meeting with Klobuchar.

US Farmers Face Uncertainty With US$ 24.5 Billion Industry And Exports Above US$ 9 Billion

Minnesota, known as the land of 10,000 lakes, had a US$ 24.5 billion agricultural industry in 2023. Corn, soybeans, and feed grains were among the top exports, totaling more than US$ 9 billion in exported goods in the same year.

These sectors are among the most threatened. Besides the tariffs, the projected production of 17 billion bushels of corn for 2025 and 2026, described as the largest in US history, has pressured prices downward.

The surplus of remaining harvests amplifies losses for producers without enough markets. The need to reassess values on the balance sheet has become immediate.

“Now you have to re-evaluate how much you will sell your harvest on the balance sheet,” said farmer Nathan Collins. He added that those still holding stored harvests have already lost a lot of money.

US Farmers Advocate E15 As Domestic Alternative In The Face Of Crisis

Among the proposed solutions is the national and permanent release of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15% corn-derived ethanol. In Minnesota, sales are permitted year-round, but not consistently across the country.

The state is one of only eight legally authorized to sell E15 throughout the year. Klobuchar promoted the measure as an opportunity for a domestic market for US Farmers.

However, the anticipated legislation to expand sales was not passed in January. Congress opted to create the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to develop legislative solutions in response to the crisis.

Amanda Bilek, from the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, stated that the sector had tried to reach an agreement with part of the oil industry but had the rug pulled out from under them.

US Farmers Accumulate Losses Between US$ 60 And US$ 210 Per Acre And See Bankruptcies Rise

A report from November 2025 by the American Farm Bureau Federation warned of export declines of several billion dollars and an increase in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies.

A separate document from January projected losses between US$ 60 and US$ 210 per acre in crops like rice, cotton, wheat, corn, and soybeans. Net losses over the past three years were estimated at more than US$ 50 billion.

For 2026, projections indicate new increases in production costs. Fertilizers, chemicals, machinery, and inputs have seen increases associated with recent inflation.

Shawn Arita from North Dakota State University explained that these costs have risen in recent years. The scenario amplifies pressure on already reduced margins.

The chain effects include a decline in agricultural equipment sales and the closure of food packaging plants. The crisis extends beyond rural properties and affects entire communities.

Farmers received a US$ 12 billion aid package from the Trump administration last year. Still, according to reports, the measure did little to stem the fiscal bleeding.

Another factor cited is the shortage of agricultural labor linked to strict enforcement of immigration laws. Estimates indicate that 45% of all agricultural workers in the US are undocumented.

US Farmers Demand End To Tariffs And Binding Trade Agreements

The letter sent to the Agriculture Committee presented proposals to reverse the situation. Among them are an end to tariffs on agricultural inputs and the repeal of tariffs affecting export markets.

The document also advocates negotiating binding trade agreements with other countries and permitting national and annual sales of E15.

“The policies of this administration have caused tremendous harm to US agriculture,” states the letter. The text concludes that it is not too late to reverse the situation.

In light of accumulated losses exceeding US$ 50 billion, a record production of 17 billion bushels, and threatened exports, US Farmers reiterate that maintaining markets and reviewing trade policies are crucial to avoid the widespread collapse indicated by experts.

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Russia
Russia
18/02/2026 16:36

You’re were told this would happen and you still voted for the Moran I would not. Be surprised if you voted for him again.

Última edição em 1 mês atrás por Russia
Lou
Lou
18/02/2026 09:23

Too bad so sad! But you did to yourself, even besset knows that farms are done and sold his! It will be years before any country wants american crap!

Daniel
Daniel
18/02/2026 08:20

This is what happens when you vote a lying rodent into power and sadly he’ s also a total moron.

Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Jornalista especializado em uma ampla variedade de temas, como carros, tecnologia, política, indústria naval, geopolítica, energia renovável e economia. Atuo desde 2015 com publicações de destaque em grandes portais de notícias. Minha formação em Gestão em Tecnologia da Informação pela Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) agrega uma perspectiva técnica única às minhas análises e reportagens. Com mais de 10 mil artigos publicados em veículos de renome, busco sempre trazer informações detalhadas e percepções relevantes para o leitor.

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