North Dakota’s rural economy shows signs of contraction

North Dakota’s rural economy is showing mixed signals. The state’s Rural Mainstreet Index dipped to 50.4 in August, pointing to a slight slowdown, even as hiring surged and farmland prices inched higher. Exports, however, told a different story: agricultural sales abroad fell by $24 million in the first half of 2025, a 5% decline from last year. Mexico remained the top buyer, taking more than half of the state’s farm and livestock exports, underscoring both the opportunities and vulnerabilities in the market.