When it comes to selling crops, the American Farm Bureau says demand from key export markets is not looking great for 2024.
“Unfortunately, I think fiscal year ’24 is probably going to be a little bit challenging for U.S. farm exports. As we’ve seen the U.S. dollar continues to fluctuate, but stay high, it makes our products price above our competitors. And then it makes, of course, imports cheaper,” says Veronica Nigh.
Despite an excellent product coming from American fields, the Farm Bureau says it is still not enough to overcome a strong dollar. Couple that with low levels along inland waterways, increased transportation costs, and a lapse in the Farm Bill, Nigh says finding new markets will be challenging.
Related Stories
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition shares how extreme winter weather is affecting the ag transportation network and what producers should keep in mind as conditions slowly improve.
Mixed product pricing and rising milk supplies suggest margin management will remain critical as 2026 unfolds.
Corn and soybean exports continue to anchor weekly inspection totals, with China maintaining a visible role, while wheat and sorghum remain more dependent on regional and seasonal demand shifts.
Rail continues to carry a larger share of the grain load, increasing sensitivity to rail capacity, labor, and pricing conditions.
Rising import pressure and tougher export competition are likely to persist into 2026, supporting domestic supplies while capping export growth.
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.