(NewsNation) — The industries that help keep food on Americans’ tables and goods on the move have been given a major blow to their operations, and those effects could soon hit consumers.
One of the biggest issues facing farmers is the current storm of rising debt. According to the Department of Agriculture, farm sector debt is expected to reach $561.8 billion, up nearly 4% from 2024.
Farmers have said the rising costs for foreign importers have lowered foreign demand, leading to more price reductions on America’s agricultural exports. They’ve said they cannot survive on low crop prices with input costs at an all-time high.
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A bigger challenge facing the industry is a vanishing workforce, often due to recent immigration raids. The labor shortage for U.S. farmers is expected to exceed 400,000 jobs.
When questioned about support for farmers, President Donald Trump spoke of the love they have for their jobs.
“A lot of these farmers don’t make a lot of money, but it’s a way of life for them and they love that way of life and they love that dirt,” Trump said. “They don’t know how to do anything else, and they don’t want to do anything else.”
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Despite the debt and workforce challenges that are testing their approval of Trump, roughly 70% of U.S. farmers believe Trump’s tariffs will ultimately strengthen the agricultural industry, according to a recent poll from Purdue University. Others maintain tariffs will be “bad news” for the industry.
The trucking industry is facing its own challenges, such as the overall demand for freight, which is below historical averages.
The industry has also been hit with rising fuel prices and a shortage of truck drivers.
A California-based trucking company recently closed its operations after 40 years due to the continued struggles it faced.
The ripple effect for consumers could include higher prices on goods at the grocery store and fewer items on shelves.
