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DORCHESTER – New data released today by Farmers for Free Trade reveals current trends impacting Nebraska agriculture trade including top markets, export performance and the impact of tariffs on exports and ag inputs.
The report comes at a key moment for Nebraska, the country’s fifth largest agricultural exporting state. The comprehensive analysis highlights both opportunities and challenges facing Nebraska farmers as agricultural trade policies continue to evolve.
The data release comes ahead of today’s Motorcade for Trade kickoff event at Farmers Cooperative in Dorchester, where Rep.
Adrian Smith (R-NE), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ag Trade Caucus and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, will join agricultural leaders to discuss trade policy impacts on Nebraska’s farm economy.
Major Export Markets Drive Nebraska Agriculture Nebraska farmers depend on export markets for nearly a third of their agricultural production, with agricultural exports making up about 30 percent of their earnings.
Corn, soybeans, and beef remain entrenched as Nebraska’s top agricultural exports, accounting for nearly half of total exports.
The data reveals Nebraska’s top four export markets and their significance to the state’s agricultural economy: Mexico leads at $1.9 billion (18% of total goods exports), serving as the top export market for corn with 35% of Nebraska corn exports heading south of the border. Mexico is also the top destination for soybean oilcake and other solid residue.
Canada follows at $1.6 billion (15% of total goods exports), representing the top export destination for agricultural machinery, including harvest machinery.
Canada is also an important market for Nebraska beef, receiving 14% of the state’s beef exports.
China accounts for $1.5 billion (14% of total goods exports), serving as a top soybean export market alongside Mexico and Germany, making up about 30% of Nebraska’s international soybean exports. China is also an important market for animal feed preparations.
Japan rounds out the top four at $1.1 billion (10% of total goods exports), representing an important corn and soybean export market that accounts for 23% of Nebraska’s international corn exports and 3% of soybean exports. Japan is also the top export market for Nebraska pork.
Mixed Results for Key Commodities in 2025 Analysis of the first half of 2025 compared to 2024 reveals significant trends among Nebraska’s key farm exports: Corn exports surged 70%, driven by rising exports to Mexico, Japan, and Korea, demonstrating strong demand for Nebraska’s corn in key international markets.
Soybean exports declined 15%, wholly attributable to a 52% decline in exports to China. Notably, there were no soybean exports to China in June 2025, highlighting the volatility of this critical market.
Fresh, boneless beef exports increased 3%, with growth to Korea and other markets offsetting a 66% decline in exports to China. There were no beef exports to China in April, May, or June 2025.
Sunflower and safflower oil exports to Canada, the sole export market for Nebraska, dropped 50%.
‘Based on the China data in particular, the risk to Nebraska farmers will grow if more countries choose to retaliate against U.S. exports in the future,’ the analysis notes.
Tariffs Increase Input Costs for Nebraska Farmers The data also reveals how current tariffs are raising costs for essential farm inputs in the first six months of 2025: Farm Machinery & Equipment: $6.7 million in extra tariffs paid due to Section 301, IEEPA, or other executive authority tariffs Fertilizer & Chemical Inputs: $3.2 million in extra tariffs paid Steel & Building Materials: $25 million in extra tariffs paid on products subject to steel and aluminum 232 tariffs Vehicle & Transportation Costs: $16 million in extra tariffs paid on products on the autos and auto parts section 232 list Additional tariffs on steel and aluminum could further increase costs for farm machinery, equipment, and building materials, while additional tariffs on automobiles and parts could increase vehicle costs for agricultural operations.
Motorcade for Trade Event Details The data release coincided with the Motorcade for Trade kickoff event:t The event launched Farmers for Free Trade’s 14-state ‘Motorcade for Trade’ campaign, a 2,500-mile tour across America’s agricultural heartland designed to amplify farmer voices calling for open markets and reduced trade barriers.
The campaign will conclude with a major event in Washington, D.C. in early November.
Farmers for Free Trade represents agricultural producers who support open markets and reduced trade barriers. The organization advocates for policies that expand market access for American agriculture.
Trade Partnership Worldwide, LLC is an international trade and economic research firm based in Washington, D.C. that is a recognized leader in trade information and statistics and is regularly cited in all major news outlets.
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