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USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer Steps Down; Justin Benavidez Named Successor

USDA announced Meyer’s departure and named Dr. Justin Benavidez as chief economist. Reuters had reported Meyer planned to lead the University of Missouri’s FAPRI.
From TheFinanceBase Team1 min to read
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The USDA announced on January 6, 2026, that Seth Meyer had concluded his service as chief economist and that Dr. Justin Benavidez would take over the role. Reuters had reported in November that Meyer planned to leave for a leadership position at the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), with a January 1 start expected. USDA did not specify Meyer’s final day at the department.

What USDA announced about Meyer’s departure

In its January 6, 2026 announcement, the USDA said Meyer had concluded his service and named Dr. Justin Benavidez as chief economist. The department described Meyer as having held the position since 2021. USDA’s announcement does not give an exact last workday.

Where Meyer was reported to be going

Reuters reported on November 25, 2025, that Meyer would leave USDA to lead the University of Missouri’s FAPRI, with a January 1, 2026 start expected. That date was the reported start of his next role, not a USDA-confirmed final service date. Reuters’ report, carried by Investing.com, is the source for the planned move.

What the chief economist oversees

USDA says Meyer oversaw the department’s economic forecasting and analysis, including leadership of the World Agricultural Outlook Board and the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The WASDE is a recurring USDA report on agricultural supply and demand; the announcement identifies Meyer’s oversight responsibilities but does not attribute any particular forecast or policy decision to him.

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USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said: “Seth Meyer has been a trusted and steady leader at USDA, providing rigorous, objective economic analysis that has helped guide USDA and America’s farmers and ranchers’ insights into complex commodity markets.”

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What is confirmed—and what remains unclear

  • Confirmed by USDA: Meyer had concluded his service by the January 6 announcement, and USDA named Benavidez as the new chief economist.
  • Reported by Reuters: Meyer planned to lead FAPRI, with a January 1, 2026 start expected.
  • Not specified by USDA: Meyer’s exact final workday. The January 1 date should not be treated as confirmation of when he left USDA.

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