This is particularly significant because natural gas is a key feedstock for nitrogen fertilizer production, meaning disruptions in energy markets can quickly spill over into agriculture. We also have to remember that the Strait of Hormuz is a critical route in the global nitrogen fertilizer market, which accounts for nearly 60% of global fertilizer use and is especially vital for crops such as corn and other grains. Longer disruptions to that flow through the Strait of Hormuz could cause some major issues for global food prices and supply.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs added, “We anticipate that March 2026 will set a new record for agricultural ETF inflows over the next few sessions, overtaking March 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the strongest month on record.” 

That being said, investors may want to consider ETFs such as:

Invesco DB Agriculture Fund Offers Broad Commodity Exposure

The Invesco DB Agriculture Fund (NYSEARCA: DBA) ETF offers investors an inexpensive way to trade commodity futures. At the moment, it offers exposure to corn, soybeans, wheat, soybean oil, and cotton, to name a few.

It has an expense ratio of 0.9% and pays a yearly dividend; its last payment was just over 91 cents a share on December 26. Before that, it paid out just over $1.08 a share a year earlier. 

Since the year began, the DBA ETF rallied from $25.43 to a recent high of $26.94. From here, we’d like to see it test $30 a share.

iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF Targets Agribusiness Stocks

If more traditional stock-based ETFs are more your style, you can consider the iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (NYSEARCA: VEGI). The fund offers exposure to companies that produce fertilizers and agricultural chemicals, farm machinery, and packaged foods and meats. 

The ETF has an expense ratio of 0.39% and also pays a dividend twice a year. Its last one was for just over 49 cents, paid on December 19. Before that, it paid out just over 40 cents on June 20. The dividend has a yield of 1.56% as of this writing.

Some of its top holdings include Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE), Corteva (NYSE: CTVA), Nutrien (NYSE: NTR), Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM), Bunge Global (NYSE: BG), and CF Industries (NYSE: CF). Also, since the start of the year, VEGI ran from a low of about $39 to a high of $47.22. Now back to $45.17, it’s just starting to pivot higher again. We’d like to see it initially test $50.

WisdomTree Agriculture ETF Provides Diversified Futures Exposure

With an expense ratio of 0.49%, the WisdomTree Agriculture (LSE: AIGA) ETF provides “investors with a total return exposure to a basket of Agriculture futures contracts. The ETC aims to replicate the Bloomberg Commodity Agriculture Subindex 4W Total Return Index (BCOMAG4T) by tracking the Bloomberg Agriculture Sub Excess Return Index,” as noted by Wisdom Tree. 

At the moment, soybeans, corn, soybean oil, soy meal, coffee, sugar, wheat, cotton, and cocoa make up the composition of the fund. 

Agriculture ETFs Could Benefit From Rising Food and Fertilizer Prices

In summary, agriculture ETFs are gaining momentum as geopolitical tensions disrupt critical trade routes and threaten global fertilizer supplies.

Funds like DBA, VEGI, and AIGA provide investors with diversified exposure across agricultural commodities, fertilizer producers, and agribusiness companies. As concerns surrounding food inflation and supply shortages continue to grow, agriculture ETFs could remain attractive for investors seeking exposure to one of the market’s strongest emerging macro trends. If fertilizer disruptions persist and commodity prices continue climbing, these ETFs may benefit from rising investor demand and renewed institutional inflows throughout the year.

In today’s market environment, where interest rates and inflation expectations continue to shift, investors are increasingly looking for flexible income strategies that don’t rely on a single asset class. Dividend ETFs stand out because they combine equity upside with regular income, offering a middle ground between growth investing and traditional fixed income. This flexibility makes them especially attractive for long-term investors navigating uncertain conditions.

For investors looking to simplify their portfolios while still generating reliable cash flow, dividend-focused ETFs can serve as strong core holdings.

Three funds in particular stand out for long-term, buy-and-hold investors: The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA: VNQ), the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (BATS: NOBL), and the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA: SCHD). Each offers a different approach to income and stability, but all share a focus on quality and long-term compounding.

The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ)

The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) provides broad exposure to the U.S. real estate market through a diversified portfolio of real estate investment trusts and related companies. 

With an expense ratio of just 0.13% and a dividend yield of roughly 3.7%, it remains one of the most cost-effective ways to gain exposure to the property sector. 

The fund holds more than 150 positions, spanning healthcare REITs, industrial warehouses, data centers, and retail properties. Major holdings include Welltower (NYSE: WELL), Prologis (NYSE: PLD), American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT), Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX), Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR), and Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG).

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL)

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) tracks companies in the S&P 500 that have increased their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years, a group often viewed as some of the most financially stable businesses in the market. 

With an expense ratio of around 0.35% and a dividend yield near 2.5%, NOBL is less about high income and more about durability and steady growth. It holds roughly 69 companies, including AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW), Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM), and Pentair (NYSE: PNR). These businesses have demonstrated an ability to withstand economic downturns while continuing to reward shareholders, making the ETF a popular choice for investors who prioritize long-term reliability over short-term yield.

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) 

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers a balance between income, quality, and cost efficiency. With an extremely low expense ratio of 0.06% and a dividend yield close to 4%, SCHD has become one of the most widely held dividend ETFs among long-term investors. It tracks a portfolio of more than 100 U.S. companies with strong balance sheets, consistent cash flow, and a history of paying dividends.

Holdings include well-known names such as Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), AbbVie, Home Depot (NYSE: HD), Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). What makes SCHD particularly appealing is its blend of defensive and cyclical sectors, giving investors exposure to both stability and growth potential while maintaining a strong income stream.

Why These ETFs Work for Long-Term Investors

Funds like VNQ, NOBL, and SCHD demonstrate that a disciplined, income-focused approach can provide both stability and growth over time. By combining real estate exposure, dividend consistency, and high-quality U.S. equities, these ETFs offer a well-rounded foundation for investors who want to generate passive income while benefiting from compounding returns. For those willing to stay patient and reinvest dividends, these types of core holdings can play a powerful role in achieving financial independence 

Importantly, these ETFs also remove the need to constantly monitor individual holdings or time the market. That simplicity allows investors to stay focused on long-term goals rather than short-term volatility, which is often the biggest determinant of successful outcomes.