Crops are rotting in fields as Trump’s trade war bites US farmers

11/21/2018

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Will Martin | Business Insider

  • American farmers are struggling to sell their products as tariffs introduced during the trade war between Washington and Beijing stifle demand.
  • In certain states, farmers are being forced into plowing their crops under — effectively burying them under soil in fields — as there is simply not enough storage room in storage facilities.
  • The problem is most acute for soybean farmers, as China generally buys about 60% of US soybeans but has basically stopped purchases since tariffs began.

American farmers are struggling to find storage for crops that would usually be sold overseas, with some being forced to leave produce rotting in fields as a last resort, as the trade conflict between the US and China continues.

Farmers in some US states are being forced into plowing their crops under — effectively burying them under soil in fields — as there is not enough room to store them in storage facilities, and they are unable to sell their products thanks to Chinese tariffs, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

All grain depots and silos are almost full, meaning farmers have to find their own storage solutions or allow their crops to rot. Neither option is particularly palatable.

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