News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz A field of crops is seen on Friday in Posen.

ALPENA – Federal tariffs are affecting food prices and the agricultural industry, according to a report from The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

A press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated that MDARD’s report indicates “surging federal tariffs” that have caused an increase in food prices, reduced agriculture exports, and “generated uncertainty throughout Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.”

Whitmer stated in the press release that federal tariffs are raising the cost of groceries and making it challenging for Michigan residents to feed their families.

“While we cannot change the national tariff rate, we must work together at the state level to support the farmers and producers who help put fresh, affordable food on our tables,” Whitmer said in the release. “In Michigan, that means passing a balanced, bipartisan budget that funds the infrastructure and programs farmers and food producers need to do their jobs and get food from the farm to the plate. Let’s get it done.”

The release states that Michigan’s “food and agriculture sector” contributes about $126 billion to the state’s economy. The sector also creates more than 800,000 jobs.

“I continue to hear from farmers and producers across the state of Michigan who are deeply concerned about their ability to weather market uncertainty, including the impacts of retaliatory tariffs imposed in response to U.S. trade actions,” Tim Boring, MDARD director, stated in the release. “Tariffs are jeopardizing agricultural jobs, disrupting rural economies, and reducing Michiganders’ access to affordable food.”

The release compares export data from 2024 to 2025, citing the Trump administration’s tariffs. According to Whitmer’s office, soybean meal exports fell by 46%, wheat exports declined by 89%, fresh cherry exports fell by 62%, and fresh apple exports declined by 58%.

Samantha Timm, a local farmer who grows wheat, told The News that implementation costs such as fuel, fertilizers, and sprays for weed control have risen over the past few years, beginning in 2022. She said that this is due to inflation and “poor support on international trade from the previous administration.”

Timm added that these factors have led to a drop in current commodity prices.

“This is not just a 2025 challenge,” Timm added.

According to Timm, farming is a “long-term cycle.” For example, Timm explained that pricing and products purchased for the 2025 harvest season were committed to “long before the tariffs took effect” and “in many cases, before President Trump was in office.”

Timm said that it is “concerning” that Whitmer is “just now” acknowledging challenges producers and consumers “have been facing due to inflation and poor market conditions.”

In her opinion, the tariffs have not had any significant impact on this year’s crop.

Timm explained that the “survival rate” for farmers this year is likely due to “several years of hardships.” She added that the “agricultural industry takes a long time to fully adapt to economic and political changes.”

Timm said she is “excited” about the tariffs and is “optimistic” about policy focused on American farmers.

“It is very important to have realistic expectations of prices when going through the ebbs and flows of economic changes,” Timm said. “It is also important to understand the dynamics of tariffs and the long-term advantages they will have for the American farmer going forward.”

According to Timm, for tariffs to work, the agricultural industry needs “long-term support.”

“Tariffs are examples of long-term support,” Timm added.

She added that in recent years, policy makers have tried to implement government-funded programs for farmers to “compensate for losses” rather than looking for long-term solutions.

“I don’t think it is valid or fair to blame or break down any impact relative to tariffs on this year’s harvest due to the long-term cycles farmers face,” Timm said.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.