“California farmers are getting hit twice with higher fertilizer costs and higher fuel costs. Even before the war, California’s farmers were struggling due to the disruption caused last year by Trump’s tariffs, which hit farmers hard as trading partners responded with their own duties. “I think that a year like this, where you see fertilizer prices moving the way they’re moving, it may justify using other methodologies,” he said. AdvertisementThe economic shocks caused nationwide by extreme weather events, the disruption of export markets and now the war have prompted the industry, including California growers, to seek federal assistance. Also, an expected wave of orders that typically follows Ramadan has not materialized, hurting California farmers who might not be able to make up the losses, he said.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 29, 2026 13:53 UTC