NCGA Warns of Economic Crisis as Corn Prices Plummet, Input Costs Stay High
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is once again raising serious concerns about the mounting economic crisis facing rural America, as corn prices continue to decline while input costs remain at near-record highs.
According to NCGA, the financial pressure on corn farmers is becoming unsustainable, particularly as they struggle to recover from years of tight margins and unpredictable market conditions.
“At a time when many corn farmers are facing a reality of losing money after yet another year of hard work,” said NCGA President Kenneth Hartmann, Jr., “it’s essential that we examine all factors contributing to the economic hardships facing corn growers.”
The association reports that while average corn production costs have dropped only three percent from their peak between 2022 and 2025, corn prices have fallen by more than 50 percent in the same period. Even with improved yields in some regions, these cost imbalances are pushing many growers into the red.
NCGA is urging both Congress and the Biden administration to take immediate action to boost demand for U.S. corn, emphasizing the importance of policies that expand access to higher ethanol blends and improve foreign market access. These measures, NCGA argues, are essential to restoring profitability for corn producers and revitalizing rural economies that heavily depend on agriculture.
“It’s essential that we examine all factors contributing to the economic hardships facing corn growers.”
The economic squeeze is not just impacting the farmgate—it’s affecting local businesses, lenders, and rural communities that rely on agriculture as a core economic engine. Without swift federal action, the NCGA warns, the ripple effects could deepen the crisis.
As farmers prepare for harvest and assess their financial standing, all eyes are on Washington to see whether agriculture policy will adapt to address the worsening economic conditions.
The NCGA continues to push for a combination of market-driven solutions and government support, aiming to provide a lifeline to corn farmers caught between crashing commodity prices and stubbornly high production costs.