82 per cent of farmers say they'll have access to the capital needed in 2026

"When margins are constricted, financials get squeezed, and it puts pressure on banking relationships. In January, eighty-two per cent of Canadian farmers surveyed through the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index told RealAgristudies that they are likely to have access to the capital that they need in 2026 - with fifty-two per cent saying it's extremely likely they will have access to the capital they need in 2026."

"RealAgristudies has seen significant declines in how farmers feel about that their financial situation over the past nine months, as the Good to Excellent respondents has dropped from 57% in April 2025 to 37% in January 2026. This deterioration is a significant concern for farmers and agricultural bankers alike."

"RealAgristudies found the better a producer feels about their farm financials, the more likely they are to say they'll have access to the required capital for 2026. For example, 95% of those with excellent farm financials also believe they are extremely likely to have access to capital. In contrast, only 13% of poor financial status farmers are extremely likely to have access to the required capital."

Farm profitability heading into 2026 is constrained by stubborn variable and fixed costs combined with weak commodity prices, creating pressure on banking relationships. In January, 82% of Canadian farmers surveyed reported likely access to needed capital, with 52% saying it's extremely likely. However, farmer sentiment about their financial situation has deteriorated significantly, dropping from 57% reporting good to excellent conditions in April 2025 to 37% in January 2026. Financial confidence directly correlates with capital access expectations: 95% of farmers with excellent finances believe they'll access capital, while only 13% of those in poor financial condition share this view. U.S. lenders similarly expect to renew 88% of existing loans in 2026, down from previous years, suggesting roughly 1 in 10 borrowers may face challenges or denials.

Read at Realagriculture