Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Discover insights, trends, ag market outlooks and other topical information as it relates to the Northeast's diverse agricultural industries. Brought to you by Knowledge Exchange from Farm Credit East.
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Knowledge Exchange Partner

Knowledge Exchange Partner

Why Higher Fertilizer Prices Are Here To Stay

This month's Knowledge Exchange Partner article discuss the current fertilizer market challenges, and the continued geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions that are creating long-term pressure on fertilizer availability and pricing, creating future sourcing uncertainties for farmers and agricultural retailers. Contributed by Jacqui Fatka, Lead Economist, Farm Supply and Biofuels, at CoBank.

 

September 8, 2026

Green tractor pulling a yellow row planter across a freshly tilled field, with a dense tree line in the background under daylight conditions.

Latest From Today's Harvest Blog

A row of eight to ten black beef cows standing in a grass field
Ag Economy
Navigating a Changing Cattle Market

National cattle policy grabbed headlines in August as the market continues to defy principles of economics: beef prices at the grocery store continue to soar while the size of the national cattle herd struggles to keep up. This blog dives into the factors driving these market conditions and the steps producers can take in response.  

September 8, 2026

Featured Webinar

A display of red ripe Macoun apples - a sweet crisp eating apple from the Hudson Valley of New York State.
Business Tips and Tools
2026 Apple Industry Outlook Webinar
Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit recently hosted Chris Gerlach of USApple for a discussion on the prevailing trends and forces shaping the U.S. apple industry.

April 16, 2026

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Close up on stack of rough sawn timber pine lumber planks
Ag Economy
2026 Forest Products Outlook: Key Takeaways for a Shifting Industry

From national economic trends to housing demand, lumber supply and global trade shifts, many economic forces are shaping the U.S. forest products industry. In a recent Farm Credit East webinar, Paul Jannke, of Forest Economic Advisors, provided an economic forecast pointing to a year of stability, modest growth and continued adjustment across the forest products sector. The following are the key insights from the webinar. 

April 07, 2026

Farms walking in a harvested field at dusk
Ag Economy
From Farm to Forest to Dock: The Northeast’s $225B Economic Engine

As we celebrate National Agriculture Day on March 24, we recognize the contributions of the hardworking agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products producers to our everyday lives here in the Northeast and beyond.

March 24, 2026

Harvested oysters in a mesh basket by body of water
Ag Economy
The Road Ahead for Oyster Growers: Trends, Risks and Opportunities for 2026

The U.S. oyster industry’s current landscape is shaped by decades of regulatory progress, rapid production innovations and shifting market pressures. As growers head into 2026, understanding the forces behind today’s rules, technologies and economic trends is essential for making informed business decisions. In a recent Farm Credit East webinar, Bob Rheault, executive director of East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, shared the key challenges and opportunities for the oyster industry. 

March 10, 2026

rows of various annual flower plants in bloom outside a nursery
Ag Economy
2026 Green Industry Outlook: Cautious Optimism in a Shifting Economy

While the broader economy is shifting sideways, opportunities remain strong for green industry producers who stay nimble, informed and ready to adapt. In a recent Farm Credit East webinar, Texas A&M’s Dr. Charlie Hall covered what’s ahead for the green industry in 2026. From fluctuating housing markets to rising input costs and evolving consumer behavior, this year is shaping up to be one of cautious optimism for the greenhouse, nursery and landscaping sectors.

March 03, 2026

Northeast Economic Engine

Download Farm Credit East’s Northeast Economic Engine report, which analyzes the economic impact of the Northeast agriculture, forest products, commercial fishing and food manufacturing industries. This report was released in October 2024. 

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Cover of the 2024 Economic Impact report