Tariffs, war, and now a historic drought have converged into a ‘perfect storm’ for U.S. farmers and food prices
Fortune reports 61% of the continental U.S. is under drought conditions and USDA's March forecast raised food price inflation for 2026 to 3.6%, with drought threatening to push livestock feed prices higher through the year.
Food Prices Are Rising Again. Drought, War, and Tariffs Are to Blame
USDA's March forecast raised its 2026 food-price inflation outlook to 3.6%, with drought affecting 61% of the continental U.S. threatening crop yields and escalating feed costs — with beef prices forecast to rise 10–18% in 2026.