US Farmers Hit with Record-High Diesel Prices Amid War-Driven Fuel Crisis

US farmers are facing record-high diesel prices just as they need it to harvest soybeans and corn. Diesel hit an all-time high of $5.85 per gallon on September 4, with prices increasing further since then. The average price is now $6.05 per gallon.

Farmer Jason Kurtz said he was paying twice as much for diesel this year. His combine uses 200 gallons a day and will run for 30 days, cutting into his bottom line. He also needs diesel for a tractor and trucks.

American diesel prices are now 60% more expensive than they were before the US and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February, when the national average was about $3.76 per gallon. Prices quickly climbed as the cost of crude oil skyrocketed amid disruptions to tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Farmer Kurtz said his finances are already tight this year after he also had to pay more for fertilizer and chemicals. He plans to hold off on some farm work until later, when he hopes diesel prices will fall.