VEGI: ISHARES MSCI AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS ETF
What this ETF is trying to do
The ISHARES MSCI AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS ETF (ticker: VEGI) is an exchange-traded fund that focuses on companies involved in the agriculture industry. Instead of buying just one company, this ETF allows investors to gain exposure to a group of different businesses that produce food and farming supplies.
What the numbers show
As of September 21, 2026, the current price of one share is $46.82. An estimated price from roughly one year ago was $39.76.
When looking at how this ETF has performed, it is important to understand two different types of returns:
• Price Return: This measures only how much the share price changed.
• Total Return: This measures the share-price change plus any cash distributions paid out.
For VEGI, the total return is higher than the price return because it includes those extra payments. Here is a breakdown:
• Year-to-Date (YTD): The price return is 21.38%, while the total return is 22.39%.
• One Year: The price return was 17.73%, and the total return was 20.22%.
• Three Years: The price return was 20.78%, and the total return was 29.64%.
Income and distribution explanation
Some investors look for "distributions," which are cash payments made by the ETF. VEGI has a distribution yield of 1.83%. This means the cash paid out is about 1.83% of the share price. Over the last year, the trailing distributions were approximately $0.86 per share.
The data shows that these payments happen irregularly and less frequently; for example, there were only two payouts in the last 12 months. It is important to remember that a distribution yield is not the same as total return.
NAV erosion explanation
"NAV erosion" refers to a situation where the value of the underlying assets in an ETF decreases over time. Some investors worry about this because it can lower the value of their investment. However, for VEGI, the erosion-risk score is 100, and the label states "No price erosion detected." The erosion severity is rated as "good," and there is no severe erosion-risk flag.
Pros
• Strong Returns: The ETF has shown positive price returns and total returns over one-year and three-year periods.
• Stable Price Trend: There is no detected price erosion.
• Top Holdings: The fund includes large companies like DEERE & CO (24.32% of the portfolio) and CORTEVA INC (10.10%).
Cons
• Irregular Income: Distributions are not paid out on a steady, frequent schedule.
• Lower Yield: The distribution yield of 1.83% may be considered low for investors seeking high regular income.
Beginner takeaway
VEGI tracks companies in the agriculture sector. While the share price has grown over the last few years, investors should distinguish between the growth in the share price (price return) and the total amount earned including cash payments (total return). Always remember that past performance does not guarantee what will happen in the future.
Top Holdings
Structured portfolio holdings supplied by the ETF data provider. These figures are not generated by the AI article.
| # | Holding | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEERE & CO | DE | 30.24% |
| 2 | VYLOR INC | VYLR | 8.89% |
| 3 | ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND CO | ADM | 7.22% |
| 4 | NUTRIEN LTD | n/a | 6.23% |
| 5 | CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS INC | CF | 3.25% |
| 6 | KUBOTA CORP | n/a | 2.85% |
| 7 | BUNGE GLOBAL SA | BG | 2.47% |
| 8 | CNH INDUSTRIAL NV | CNH | 2.10% |
| 9 | DARLING INGREDIENTS INC | DAR | 1.77% |
| 10 | THE TORO CO | TTC | 1.72% |