Are Northwest Farmers Being Gouged By Fertilizer Prices?

Northwest farmers already paying more to fuel their tractors also face rising fertilizer prices, just as spring seeds go in the ground.  Farmer Joe Maxwell, with the nonpartisan group Farm Action, blames the conflict in Iran for adding even more to his bottom line.

"Just like any other family, our food costs, our healthcare costs; just like any other business, our supplies are going up. Inflation has hit us all," Maxwell said.  "Tariffs have increased everyone’s costs."

Maxwell said he can’t pass extra expenses on, because his sale prices were set months ago.  But shoppers, he said, should still plan for sticker shock when the food growing now shows up on grocery shelves.

"The people who are going to benefit from this, the people who are going to gouge the consumers and hurt the farmers, are the large corporations that control our food system," Maxwell said.

In a letter recently sent to President Trump, Farm Action is calling on the Administration to investigate and prevent price gouging on agricultural products.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com