Farm bankruptcies are soaring year-over-year. An ag attorney says that the new data includes some alarming numbers.
Joe Peiffer says, “The Administrative Office of the United States Courts points out, in the first six months of 2025, 181 Chapter 12 bankruptcies were filed nationwide. That is up 57% from what it was in 2024. That’s more filings than we had in either 2022 or 2023.”
He says that losing the China ag market is a contributing factor, and it will be hard to correct.
“Now China’s buying from Argentina. It’s been buying soybeans from Brazil. Once you lose a market like that, the chances of getting it back are really slim, because we’re no longer viewed as a reliable supplier because of the trade things that are going on.”
Peiffer says that it is not only the financial loss, but the emotional strain on farmers that is taking a toll.
He says that it is “fish or cut the bait” time for a lot of farmers and recommends they talk to an experienced bankruptcy attorney and tax advisor.
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Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.
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Wheat futures briefly hit a three-month high before retreating as the markets wait for word on whether the deal will actually happen.
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Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
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According to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, the top three soy-crushing companies in Bangladesh agreed to buy $1 billion worth of U.S. soybeans over the next year.
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