Diesel Prices Fuel $1.4 Billion Increase in Farmer Costs

New data from the Joint Economic Committee, Minority reveals that rising diesel prices had a significant impact on farmers across the country during the 2026 planting season. The analysis found that farmers spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel alone compared to last year, marking a 63 percent increase for key crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice.

The study used data from AAA and the Energy Information Administration to estimate average fuel use by crop and field operation, and found that higher diesel prices increased the cost of planting major crops by more than $1.4 billion in 2026 compared to the previous year.