LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — U.S. farmers are increasingly concerned about long-term profitability and global competitiveness, as rising input costs and weaker margins continue to pressure operations across the country.
A new survey from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, conducted at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, found more than 52 percent of respondents expect to be worse off within two years, while only 9 percent anticipate improvement. Over 75 percent believe U.S. agriculture has lost competitiveness in the past five years, with many pointing to Brazil’s lower costs, fewer regulations, and larger production scale as key advantages.
The cost-price squeeze remains a central concern. More than 80 percent of respondents identified commodity prices as a major issue, while 60 percent cited input costs as a primary pressure on margins. That combination is raising concerns about financial viability, with some producers indicating difficulty securing operating loans for the coming season.
Beyond farm-level economics, structural concerns are also emerging. Respondents highlighted consolidation among input suppliers and broader rural economic decline, including land leaving production and a decline in local operators.
Discussions at the event focused on potential solutions, including policy changes and incentives to support domestic production, but uncertainty remains elevated across the sector.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Margin pressure and competitiveness concerns are shaping cautious outlooks.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
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