U.S. corn and soybean growers are paying dramatically higher prices for seeds and crop protection products than farmers in Brazil, according to a new study released Tuesday, July 8, by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The analysis, conducted by agricultural market research firm Kynetec using farmer purchase data collected between 2023 and 2025, found that American producers often paid more than double for comparable fungicides and substantially more for herbicides, insecticides and seed. The findings matter because U.S. and Brazilian farmers compete in the same global commodity markets while receiving nearly identical market prices, leaving American growers with significantly higher production costs before a crop is even planted.

According to the report, U.S. farmers consistently paid more than Brazilian growers across nearly every major crop input category examined, even after adjusting for taxes, exchange rates and purchasing power. NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson said the organization wanted to move beyond traditional production-cost comparisons and instead analyze what farmers actually pay at the point of purchase. Fertilizer was excluded from the research, allowing the study to focus on seeds and crop protection products. The results suggest the price gap cannot be explained solely by currency fluctuations and instead reflects deeper structural differences in agricultural input markets. As profit margins tighten across U.S. agriculture, those higher costs become increasingly difficult to absorb.

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Seed and crop protection premiums reached extraordinary levels

The analysis found substantial premiums across both corn and soybean production. Corn seed prices averaged 68% higher in the United States than in Brazil, while fungicides exceeded Brazilian prices by as much as 120% and herbicides by nearly 119%. Soybean growers experienced similar disparities, particularly for fungicides and herbicides. NCGA argues these differences create an uneven playing field because both countries compete to sell the same commodities into global export markets, where farmers receive essentially the same commodity prices regardless of production costs.

Cost Premium Paid by U.S. Corn Growers Compared with Brazil

Source: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), based on Kynetec comparisons of farmer prices paid (2023-2025).

Cost Premium Paid by U.S. Soybean Growers Compared with Brazil

Source: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), based on Kynetec comparisons of farmer prices paid (2023-2025).

One of the report's most striking conclusions is that American farmers purchase a much larger share of premium-priced crop protection products than Brazilian growers. According to Swanson, Brazilian producers generally have access to a wider range of generic formulations and single active ingredient products, while U.S. purchases tend to be concentrated in premium formulations marketed by the world's largest agricultural technology companies. Although those products often deliver valuable performance, stewardship and service benefits, NCGA argues that the magnitude of the price differences raises important questions about competition and pricing transparency.

Corn Fungicide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

Soybean Fungicide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

Corn Herbicide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

Soybean Herbicide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

Corn Insecticide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

Soybean Insecticide Purchases by Product Price Range

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025).

The study also found significant differences in market concentration. Brazilian growers rely more heavily on products supplied by manufacturers outside the five largest global research and development companies, while American farmers purchase a much larger share from those dominant firms. NCGA believes that broader product availability and greater competition in Brazil may help explain why growers there have access to lower-cost alternatives. The organization says additional transparency in agricultural input pricing could help farmers better understand whether higher-priced products consistently provide value proportional to their cost.

Corn Crop Protection Purchases from the Top Five Global R&D Manufacturers

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025). Percentages are approximate based on the published charts.

Soybean Crop Protection Purchases from the Top Five Global R&D Manufacturers

Source: NCGA/Kynetec (2023-2025). Percentages are approximate based on the published charts.

The report arrives as U.S. agriculture continues to struggle with weak commodity prices, rising input costs and shrinking operating margins. NCGA leaders say the findings will support efforts to improve pricing transparency, strengthen U.S. competitiveness through agricultural policy, and advocate for reforms to trade cases involving crop protection products. The organization has also expressed concern that proposed countervailing duties on imported glyphosate could push production costs even higher. For growers already competing against Brazil in global grain markets, NCGA argues that addressing structural input costs may become as important as improving yields or expanding export demand if American agriculture is to remain competitive over the long term.