China tariffs impact NC soybean farmers

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — As the U.S and China continue their ongoing trade war, farmers in the Triad are caught in the crossfire. 

While dry weather is one issue for soybean farmers like John Ashe, he said tariffs on the crops are a much bigger problem.

“I’m selling them $9.50 to $10 this. Of course, it changes daily. Last year, it was $13.75 to $15,” Ashe said.

Soybeans are a big moneymaker for American farmers. China has historically been the top consumer of soybeans.

China purchased more than $12 billion of U.S. Soybeans, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And according to the American Soybean Association president, the U.S. has made zero sales to China in the new crop marketing year due to 20% retaliatory tariffs imposed by China in response to U.S. tariffs.

Ultimately, it’s hurting the pockets of farmers like Ashe.

“They are just not interested in our product anymore. I just don’t know what to say about it anymore. I would say 65-70% of our beans went to China, and now it’s just not in our market anymore,’ Ashe said.

Ashe said they anticipated tariffs costing them revenue during the planting season, but other farmers aren’t so lucky.

“We anticipated this … We cut back so much. We planted a few more than I was anticipating planting. I still didn’t want to have all my eggs in that basket. I guess we’re just going to ride the tide,” Ashe said.

With the way the trade war is going, Ashe said he’ll decide in November or December if he’ll plant soybeans next year or not.