Annual Farm Business Confidence survey reveals resilience on farm, uncertainty across sector

GUELPH, ON [February 20, 2026] – Ontario farmers remain confident in their own ability to weather economic challenges but are increasingly concerned about the outlook for the broader agricultural sector, according to the results of the latest annual Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Farm Business Confidence Survey.

This year’s survey reveals a significant “confidence gap” between individual farm outlooks and confidence in the provincial agricultural sector overall. While most respondents expressed resilience on their own farms, confidence in the broader sector trails behind, reflecting mounting cost pressures and market uncertainty.

“This year’s results show Ontario farmers are resilient, but they need greater economic certainty,” said OFA President Drew Spoelstra. “Farm families are managing risk and rising costs prudently but also need a supportive economic and policy environment for the sector to realize its full economic potential as a key driver of the province’s economic engine.”

Almost 79% of farmers cited rising input costs as a top concern, followed by volatile commodity prices and the cost of insurance. Rounding out the top five issues concerning farmers are trade, tariff and access to export markets and tax burdens.

These pressures have led many producers to postpone large capital investments, with machinery investment dropping to its lowest level in three years as farm families opt to repair existing equipment rather than purchase new.

The OFA survey findings reflect broader economic sentiment captured in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual Ontario Economic Report, which shows business confidence in the provincial economy remains low, with just 23 per cent of firms expressing confidence in Ontario’s outlook.

The OFA survey also identifies farmers’ top policy priorities for 2026, providing a roadmap for advocacy in the year ahead. Reducing farm taxes remains the top priority, followed by encouraging Ontarians to buy local food and supporting farmers with energy costs, which were both also in the top three last year.

OFA released the full survey results during a live webinar on February 25 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., featuring OFA economist Ben Lefort, who provided further analysis and context.
Click here to access the session recording

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) represents 38,000 farm families across the province and serves as the leading advocate and strongest voice of Ontario’s farmers. As a dynamic farmer-led organization, the OFA represents and champions the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more.

For more information, contact:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-994-2578
[email protected]