The Hidden Cost of Tariffs: How Herbicide Inflation Is Hitting California Fields

California growers are already grappling with soaring input costs, and now chemical prices are spiking — driven largely by international tariffs and global supply issues. Two of the most critical herbicides in California row and permanent crops, glyphosate and glufosinate, are seeing the steepest increases. These cost spikes come as growers prepare for critical weed management operations heading into summer.

Glyphosate Prices Surge

Glyphosate, used extensively across almonds, grapes, citrus, and vegetable crops, has doubled or even tripled in price in many parts of the U.S. — and California is no exception. As of early 2025, glyphosate prices have surged from $17 to as high as $80 per gallon in some cases.

Growers in the Central Valley report tight supplies and delivery delays, especially for generic glyphosate formulations that were once cost-effective staples in pre-plant and in-season burndown programs. This inflation is largely tied to tariffs on Chinese chemical imports, which have disrupted global pricing structures and worsened post-pandemic supply chain challenges.

Glufosinate Sees Parallel Price Increases

The story is similar for glufosinate, a non-selective herbicide favored for use in orchards and vineyards due to its lower risk of drift and increased resistance management value. Prices have jumped from around $45 to $70 per gallon, and availability is inconsistent across ag retail outlets in the state.

California-based Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) say product allocation has already begun, prioritizing customers who prepaid or locked in pricing months ago.

Branded vs. Generic: A Price Gap Emerges

While branded herbicide products like Syngenta’s Gramoxone SL 3.0 or Corteva’s Durango DMA haven’t seen the same extreme price spikes as generics, they’re not immune.

According to a 2024 report from the Farmers Business Network, branded herbicides have experienced price increases of 10–20%, depending on formulation and region. Industry experts caution that continued tariffs and supply disruptions could eventually drive up the cost of these premium products even further.

Generic products — often imported from China or India — have borne the brunt of the volatility. According to the Farmers Business Network’s 2025 Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report, more than 580 million kilograms of ag chemicals are imported into the U.S. annually, a significant portion of which are affected by renewed tariff policies.

What This Means for California Growers

In a state where operating margins are already thin, the rising price of weed control inputs creates additional economic pressure. Many growers are now revisiting integrated management strategies, using mechanical control methods or applying herbicides more selectively. Others are pushing back chemical purchases until absolutely necessary, but that could prove risky if availability continues to drop.

Furthermore, as California regulatory policies continue to restrict certain active ingredients and phase out older chemistries, growers may find themselves with fewer alternatives and higher costs across the board.

Final Thoughts

If the current trends continue, California growers will need to budget more aggressively for chemical inputs, plan purchases further in advance, and work closely with ag retail partners to secure supply. In an already tough regulatory environment, tariffs are just one more unpredictable factor impacting the bottom line.

If you're navigating rising input costs and need access to competitively priced herbicide solutions, The Ag Center can help. Contact The Ag Center today to explore your options and secure the products you need this season — before prices climb further.