{"id":603846,"date":"2026-04-13T09:57:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T09:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603846\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T09:57:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T09:57:15","slug":"at-this-canberra-farmers-market-producers-are-making-tough-choices-amid-rising-fuel-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603846\/","title":{"rendered":"At this Canberra farmers’ market, producers are making tough choices amid rising fuel prices"},"content":{"rendered":"

As fuel prices remain high amid the war in the Middle East, growers and fishers are among those having to make tough decisions to remain viable.<\/p>\n

Last week, farmers called on supermarkets to help relieve the pressure, and the government has been urging consumers not to panic buy.<\/a><\/p>\n

Producers at the Capital Region Farmers Market, which operates in Canberra, say the squeeze is only just beginning.<\/p>\n

The market is a hub for growers and producers from the region and beyond, including the New South Wales coast.<\/p>\n

Some are choosing to raise their prices and limit their travel, while others are looking anxiously towards an uncertain 12 months ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

The Capital Region Farmers Market has been affected by rising fuel prices. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

Costs up by thousands<\/p>\n

Vicki Abbott, who runs Narooma Seafoods, said the business has had to add 50 cents a kilo to absorb the increase.<\/p>\n

“Our boat holds 40,000 litres of fuel. We burn about 30,000 litres a month. It’s been an increase of about $10,000 a week,” Ms Abbott said.<\/p>\n

Longer trips out to sea to hunt for swordfish are now being reconsidered as pressure mounts.<\/p>\n

“Two days getting there, two days getting back \u2026 we’ve said no, we’re not going there,” she said.<\/p>\n

“So we’ll fish closer: we’ve got marlins, tuna, things like that.”<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Fisher Vicki Abbott said they had stopped going further out to sea due to rising fuel costs. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

The operation delivers to markets in Moruya and Sydney as well as Canberra.<\/p>\n

Ms Abbott said they were hoping to “ride it out” and that they would benefit from having just one boat.<\/p>\n

“We’re in a better position than a lot of the boats; some of the companies have got three or four boats,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Fuel in some places has been restricted, so they’d have to tie up three boats and just operate with one, which means laying off a crew.”<\/p>\n

Planning for harvest\"A<\/p>\n

Rahmatullah Jafari has been holding back from passing on costs to the customer. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

The impact is also being felt by smaller local growers like Rahmatullah Jafari, who drives for a total of four hours using diesel fuel to sell his pomegranates.<\/p>\n

“All our machinery operates by diesel. It’s very bad,” he added.<\/p>\n

While the price of diesel has doubled, Mr Jafari has hesitated to pass that cost on to his customers.<\/p>\n

“I don’t want to upset the customer,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“They always come to me, but I don’t know until when I can continue this price.”<\/p>\n

Caroline O’Clery produces olives on her small farm, and collects her diesel using jerry cans whenever she comes into town.<\/p>\n

“Of course, people think you’re hoarding,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I’m actually trying to keep my tractors full, because harvest is coming up next month.”\"A<\/p>\n

Caroline O’Clery has been using jerry cans to collect her diesel.\u00a0 (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

Strain goes from fuel to fertiliser<\/p>\n

While Paul de Jong does not have as far to travel as other farmers, his overall costs have still increased by about 10 per cent.<\/p>\n

But the seedling grower fears the flow-on effects for fertiliser could soon become a problem.<\/p>\n

“I use a slow release fertiliser, and that one’s made in America \u2026 but I’m talking to the suppliers who import it [and] they’re restricting access a little at this point,” Mr de Jong said.<\/p>\n

“I’m trying to make sure that I’ve got enough fertiliser by buying as early as possible, but they are being very careful about releasing it because they’re expecting shortages.”\"Paul<\/p>\n

Paul De Jong is concerned about delivery of fertiliser to Australia. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

Potato farmer Luke Bartlett also fears fertiliser shortages will compound the fuel crisis.<\/p>\n

“That’s our biggest worry when it comes round to next season \u2014 can we get fertiliser?” he said.<\/p>\n

“Even customers who are getting seed off us this year are pulling back because of diesel and fertiliser shortages.<\/p>\n

“It’s just going to affect the whole chain.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Luke<\/p>\n

Potato grower Luke Bartlett has had to raise his prices. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)<\/p>\n

Mr Bartlett said he’s had to put his prices up this season just to cover costs.<\/p>\n

“We’re starting to harvest and the fuel price is high, as we all know,” Mr Bartlett said.<\/p>\n

“We’re using diesel a lot in our tractors and machinery, so it’s an everyday thing really.”<\/p>\n

Mr Bartlett said the next 12 months would be “pretty scary”.<\/p>\n

“A lot of growers are going to pull the pin, because the risk is just too high \u2014 fuel, fertiliser,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It sort of outweighs the return.”<\/p>\n

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