Farmers and Meat Producers Brace for Tariff Turmoil

Farmers and meat producers across the U. S. are in for a rough ride. New tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China are set to hit their profits hard. These tariffs could cost them billions if they stay in place. Consumers might see higher prices for produce and ground beef soon. However, some impacts might not be felt until the next harvest. In the short term, some products could even get cheaper for consumers if exports take a hit. But the price of corn, wheat, and soybeans makes up only a small part of most products. Farmers might get some relief through aid payments, similar to what happened during the trade war with China. President Donald Trump asked farmers to "bear with me again" as he seeks to protect them. He didn't mention any additional aid. He said, "I love the farmer. " If farmers and consumers worry too much about prices, it could slow down the economy and even cause a recession. Consumers were already worried about record egg prices due to a bird flu outbreak. Some farmers are stocking up on supplies, but they can't easily buy all their fertilizer ahead of time. Consumers might have a hard time stockpiling perishable products like avocados and ground beef. Corn and soybean prices for this year's harvest have already dropped about 10% since the tariffs were announced. This has wiped out any profits from these crops. Trump's comments about selling more products at home were criticized as "tone deaf. " There isn't enough domestic demand for the amount of agricultural products now exported. Meanwhile, fertilizer bills might jump because 85% of the potash used in American fertilizer comes from Canada. This could affect farmers of all sizes. The United States imports a lot of lean beef to mix with fattier beef produced at American plants to make hamburger, and that imported beef will get more expensive because nearly half of it comes from Canada and Mexico. That’s likely to show up in grocery stores in six to eight weeks. The impact on meat prices will vary by product. For instance, demand for steaks and bacon may remain relatively steady because little of that is exported, but the price of hams could drop in the U. S. because Mexico is a major buyer of those. The price of specialty cuts like beef tongue that are almost entirely exported will plummet. Farmers are feeling the pressure. Some are stocking up on supplies, hoping to avoid higher prices. Others are worried about the impact on their businesses. Farmers who grow table crops as well as commodities are also concerned. They are seeing a drop in sales, which is hitting big companies and local suppliers. Some farmers hope that the tariffs can be mitigated and eventually lead to a more level playing field that benefits farmers. The lasting impact of these tariffs is uncertain. Aid payments could ease some of the pain for farmers. However, there are concerns about how long these tariffs will last. Some experts question if they are sustainable, especially as they boost prices for American consumers. This could hurt trading relationships and prompt buyers in China, Mexico, and Canada to look elsewhere. The future of these tariffs and their impact on farmers and consumers remains to be seen.