Row crops posted large decline in 2025 on prices

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Most row crop farmers battled elevated production costs which, when coupled with low commodity prices, made profitability challenging in 2025.

Will Maples, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the estimated value of production for crops in 2025 is $2.51 billion, down about 9% from 2024 values. This crops category includes traditional row crops, along with hay, peanuts, sweet potatoes, wheat and specialty crops.

Soybeans remain the state’s most profitable row crop. An estimated value of soybean production in 2025 is $1.02 billion, down 24% from the $1.33 billion value in 2024.

“This decline was driven largely by a significant acreage reduction, as soybean harvested acres dropped by nearly 500,000 from the previous year,” Maples said.

Soybean acreage fell below the 2-million-acre mark for the first time since 2019 as state producers harvested 1.79 million acres in 2025. The acres the soybean crop lost went to corn.

“Many producers shifted away from soybeans during spring planting, responding to stronger, though unfortunately still negative, expected returns for corn and increased uncertainty surrounding soybean trade prospects,” Maples said.

Justin Calhoun, Extension soybean specialist, said yields were similar to last year for an estimated 55 bushels an acre.

“Reduced acreage and poor conditions throughout the season for most of the state had growers worried about yield,” Calhoun said.

Because of its positive market outlook, corn saw a sharp expansion in acreage. Mississippi producers are estimated to harvest 880,000 acres in 2025, compared to 470,000 acres in 2024.

Corn posted a 2025 estimated value of production at $619 million, up 82% from 2024.

Because of its positive market outlook, corn saw a sharp expansion in acreage -- the second highest acreage since 1960. Mississippi producers are estimated to harvest 880,000 acres in 2025, compared to 470,000 acres in 2024. Average yields were up, but prices were lower.

“The corn market had a more positive outlook in the spring relative to soybeans and cotton,” Maples said. “However, producers nationwide also expanded corn acreage, resulting in a record corn production level in 2025. The resulting large supply has weighed heavily on the market and pushed prices below 2024 levels.”

Maples said corn prices for 2025 averaged $4 per bushel, compared to the 2024 average price of $4.24 per bushel.

“These factors have unfortunately left many Mississippi corn growers in an unprofitable position for 2025,” Maples said.

Erick Larson, Extension grain crop agronomist, estimated average corn yield in 2025 was similar to or slightly better than the 186 bushels per acre average harvested in 2024.

“Persistent rainfall during May restricted soybean and cotton acreage more than corn, which was planted in April and May, but it hampered fertilizer and weed control opportunities for many corn growers, especially in northeast Mississippi,” Larson said. “So although excessive rainfall caused some issues, corn yields were generally good.”

The economic story for cotton was negative as prices were down and acres were significantly low.

The bright spot was cotton yields up about 10% compared to 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated Mississippi cotton yields to average 1,180 pounds -- or about 2.5 bales -- per acre in 2025.

Cotton’s 2025 estimated value is $266 million, down 32% from 2024 levels. Cottonseed brought in another $67 million in estimated value, down 28% from the previous year.

Because 2024 had been a difficult year in the markets for cotton, growers came into 2025 planning to plant fewer acres anticipating another difficult year.

“The 325,000 acres Mississippi producers are projected to harvest in 2025 is the lowest since 2015,” Maples said. “Weak global demand remained the biggest concern, as international cotton sales were sluggish throughout the year.”

Ongoing trade tensions between the United States and key importers further weighed on cotton prices, particularly as this industry relies heavily on export markets. The national average farm price is expected to be $0.60 per pound, down from $0.63 in 2024.

“These price levels are not sustainable for the profitability of most Mississippi cotton producers,” Maples said.

Brian Pieralisi, Extension cotton specialist, said he has talked to multiple growers who picked close to four bales per acre and were still not able to return a profit.

“Weak cotton demand is hurting the cotton industry in Mississippi,” Pieralisi said. “I think we will see cotton planted in Mississippi next year, but acres will likely not increase unless market prices increase.”

Rice saw a 26% drop in estimated value on reduced yield and lower prices. Rice has an estimated value of $125 million for Mississippi producers, compared to the $168 million the crop generated in 2024.

“The national farm marketing year average price for 2025 is projected at $10.50 per hundredweight compared to $14 in 2024,” Maples said. “Unfortunately, as with the other major row crops, these lower prices have left many Mississippi rice producers in an unprofitable position.”

Rice acres were slightly up in 2025 to 161,000 acres harvested but yields dropped to an estimated 7,400 hundredweight per acre due to a wide range of stressors that growers faced.

Will Eubank, Extension rice specialist, said the 2025 Mississippi rice crop can best be described as a roller coaster.

“Early planted rice in March benefited from calm, favorable weather conditions and delivered strong yields,” Eubank said. “In contrast, the bulk of the acres planted during the state’s traditional optimum planting window of April 1-15 faced significant production challenges that severely impacted yield and quality.

“The difficulties of 2025, coupled with further reduction in rice prices, are already influencing grower decisions for 2026,” he said.

Other crops and their estimated value and change from 2024 are: hay at $186 million, down 4%; peanuts at $20 million, down 17%; sweet potatoes at $84 million, up 3%; specialty crops at $117 million, up 1%; and wheat, up 34% to $13 million.