A new NCGA-backed Kynetec study says U.S. corn growers paid 68% more for seed than Brazilian farmers from 2023 through 2025, despite selling into the same global commodity market.
The gap extends beyond seed: U.S. farmers paid more for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, with some fungicide and herbicide comparisons running to double Brazil's prices and glyphosate about 35% higher in 2025.
NCGA said Brazil's wider access to generic and single-ingredient products explains part of the difference, but notable price gaps remained even when comparable active ingredients were examined.
The group argues those costs are squeezing farm viability as Brazil improves export infrastructure; 47% of farmers in Purdue's June barometer cited high input prices as their top concern.
NCGA wants more pricing transparency and broader generic access, while pressure is already building through FTC scrutiny, USDA's new input-price economist and farm-bill proposals for further study.