The current conflict in the Middle East has increased the prices of energy and fertilizers. Impacts on corn and soybean prices are more difficult to determine. Here, we examine price movements since the start of airstrikes from the US and Israel on February 28. The overall impact on costs will depend on the length of the conflict. While many inputs for 2026 have already been purchased, profitability prospects for this year are likely reduced. Cost increases could also be felt in future years.

Brazil is heading toward another record soybean harvest in 2025-26, driven by expanded acreage and favorable yields in the country’s main producing regions. However, unlike previous seasons, when record harvests were often associated with strong profitability, this year’s crop is happening in a much more challenging economic environment. Lower soybean prices, elevated production costs, and weaker export premiums have compressed margins for Brazilian farmers – pushing profitability to its lowest level in nearly two decades and close to breakeven.

The Projected Prices (PPs) for corn and soybeans for 2026 were recently released by the Risk Management Agency (RMA).  Settlement prices for the December corn and November soybean futures contracts…

Looking back to look ahead can be a tricky task. The past offers the future lessons, and experience is a great teacher. But humans are humans after all, and knowing…

Crop insurance with high subsidy (now 80%) – high coverage area add-up insurance, specifically ECO (Enhanced Coverage Option) and SCO (Supplemental Coverage Option), has the potential to notably impact crop…

The Supplemental and Enhanced Coverage Option (SCO and ECO) insurance programs are receiving increased attention this year due, in large part, to the significant increase in subsidy rates. Prior analysis…