87 percent . . .

...the ratio of prices received to 

prices paid in 2017

About the Surveys

The USDA National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural 

Prices Program provides statistics 

on the prices producers receive for 

more than 70 crop and livestock 

commodities; indexes of prices 

received; and indexes of prices paid 

for farm inputs. These statistics are 

based on hundreds of monthly 

and annual surveys and other data. 

The prices received and prices paid 

indexes measure price change relative 

to the reference year (2011), when all 

prices were based at 100. 

For more information on the prices 

program, and the charts, maps, and 

data available, go to: 

go.usa.gov/xXKdP. 

To access current and historical price 

program data, go to the Quick Stats 

database: quickstats.nass.usda.gov.

Between 2007 and 2017, the prices farmers paid for farm inputs increased 

more than the prices they received for the agricultural products they sold, as 

indicated by the average annual indexes of prices received and prices paid. 

The index of prices farmers received increased from 83.6 in 2007 to 92.8 in 

2017, after reaching a high of 107.9 in 2014. The index of prices farmers paid 

for farm inputs (including production items, interest, taxes, and wages) was 

79.0 in 2007, reached its peak of 112.0 in 2014, and declined to 106.5 in 2017. 

The base year for both indexes is 2011. (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1. Indexes of Prices U.S. Farmers Received and Paid, Annual Average, 2007–2017

60

80

100

120

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Received Paid

2011 = 100

Farmer Purchasing Power

Together the two indexes indicate farmers’ purchasing power. In Fig. 2, the 

ratio of prices received to prices paid indicates the purchasing power of 

agricultural 

commodities 

sold relative 

to farm inputs 

purchased. 

Between 2007 

and 2017, the 

monthly ratio 

ranged from a 

high of 108 to a 

low of 79. 

NASS Highlights

www.nass.usda.gov

April 2018 • No. 2018-2

Prices paid increased 

more than

prices received

Prices U.S. Farmers Received

and Paid, 2007–2017 

Fig. 2. Ratio of Prices Received to Prices Paid, Monthly, 2007–2017

70

80

90

100

110

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

2011 = 100

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service
The prices received index for total agricultural production 

had its lowest level in January 2007 at 75.4 and reached 

its highest value in April 2014 at 115.5. (Fig. 3) The prices 

paid index had its lowest level in January 2007 (76.0) and 

its highest level in June 2014 (113.8). (Fig. 4) Both figures 

show the trends for total agricultural commodities, as 

well as for the crop and livestock sectors.

Fig. 3. Monthly Index of Prices U.S. Farmers Received, 2007–2017: 

Total, Crop, and Livestock

2011 = 100

60

80

100

120

140

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Total Crop Livestock

Fig. 4. Monthly Index of Prices U.S. Farmers Paid, 2007–2017: 

Total, Crop, and Livestock

60

80

100

120

Total Crop Livestock

2011 = 100

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

www.nass.usda.gov

Based on 2016 cash receipts, corn and

soybeans were the top-ranked crops, and 

beef cattle and broilers were the

top-ranked livestock commodities.

Prices and Expenditures

The prices paid index and the index of farmers’ total 

farm and personal expenditures are highly correlated, 

indicating their expenditures are mostly influenced by 

price changes in the production inputs they purchase. 

Fig. 5 shows this relationship for the ten-year period 2006 

through 2016.

Fig. 5. Farmer Expenditures and the Prices Paid Index, 2006–2016

2011 = 100

0

30

60

90

120

150 Prices Paid Index Expenditures Index

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Prices Received: Selected Commmodities

Corn

($sperbushel)

8

6

4

2

Soybeans

($s per bushel)

5

10

15

20

Beef Cattle

($s per cwt)

60

100

140

180

Broilers

($s per pound)

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

Note: cwt = hundred weight