FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 4, 2026
Contact:
Hans Torgerson
TARIFF AGENDA IS STILL STICKING KANSANS WITH THE BILL
Over the past week, reporting from Kansas showed farmers still dealing with lost trade markets, producers getting hammered by fuel and fertilizer costs, small businesses stuck with tariff-era price hikes, and families paying more at the pump.
This past week:
KANSAS FARMERS ARE STILL PAYING FOR LOST TRADE MARKETS
KSHB reported that Kansas farmers are still looking for stability from Washington as they face high fuel costs, high input costs, land costs, and drought. One Kansas farmer said that trade negotiations need to be fixed so producers have “a degree of certainty for the future.”
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE STILL STUCK WITH TARIFF-ERA PRICE HIKES
The Wichita Eagle reported that even after some tariffs were reversed, small businesses should not expect prices to fall quickly. Many businesses were forced to absorb higher import costs or pass them on to customers, and suppliers may keep tariff-era price increases baked into contracts and catalog rates.
FUEL AND FERTILIZER COSTS ARE BLOWING UP FARM BUDGETS
Kansas State University farm data shows fuel and fertilizer costs are taking a major bite out of farm budgets. The average Kansas crop farm spent about $33,000 on diesel in 2024, meaning a 30% price increase could add at least $10,000 in fuel costs this year. Fertilizer is even more expensive: the average Kansas farm spent about $130,000 on fertilizer, and a 9% increase would add another $11,500 in costs.
KANSAS GAS AND DIESEL PRICES ARE SURGING
WIBW reported May 1 that gas prices in Topeka were nearing $4 a gallon, with unleaded gas ranging from $3.69 to $3.99 Friday morning. AAA data showed Kansas gas averaging $3.87 a gallon, up 38 cents in a week and $1.02 from a year ago, while Kansas diesel averaged $4.93, up $1.66 from a year ago.
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