Economists estimate grain farmers could lose money as total production costs remain above current prices

Planting season is well under way across the US. And while farmers welcome news that the US and Chinese officials agreed to temporarily reduce tariffs placed on exports, plenty of uncertainty remains.

China is one of the top three importers of US food commodities, behind Canada and Mexico, and the escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing has worried farmers - particularly grain farmers, who lost money on last year’s harvest as bumper crops weighed on prices.

Even as farmers plant this year’s corn and soya bean crops, agricultural economists estimate grain farmers could lose money again as total production costs remain above current prices, unless something changes.