{"id":618919,"date":"2026-09-17T13:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/618919\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:04:16","slug":"record-diesel-prices-increase-u-s-harvest-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/618919\/","title":{"rendered":"Record diesel prices increase U.S. harvest costs"},"content":{"rendered":"


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U.S. farmers are facing higher harvest costs as diesel prices reach record levels during the peak crop harvesting period. The nationwide average reached US$6.31 per gallon on Wednesday, while prices in parts of California are approaching or exceeding US$10 per gallon.<\/p>\n

The increase comes as growers operate combines, tractors and other machinery to harvest crops including corn and soybeans.<\/p>\n

Virginia grains and cattle farmer John Boyd said he is harvesting corn valued at US$5 per bushel while paying US$7 per gallon for diesel. His combine holds 140 gallons, putting the cost of a full tank at just under US$1,000.<\/p>\n

“We have to harvest,” farmer Jason Kurtz told Fortune. “We have to run the machines. We have to use the diesel, so it cuts into our bottom line.”<\/p>\n

Fuel costs were already increasing before the latest diesel price rise. According to a July report by Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee, farmers spent US$1.4 billion more on diesel during the 2026 planting season than a year earlier, representing a 63 per cent increase.<\/p>\n

Higher fuel expenses are adding to increases in fertilizer, equipment and other farm inputs. The American Farm Bureau Federation projects losses of US$31 billion across major U.S. row crops in 2026, increasing to US$32 billion in 2027.<\/p>\n

Farm Bureau analysis indicates that fuel expenses are projected to reach a record US$22 billion in 2026, up 29 per cent from 2025.<\/p>\n


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Frontpage photo:
\n \u00a9 Mitja Mladkovic | Dreamstime
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\n Source: newsweek.com<\/a> \n <\/p>\n


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\n Publication date:
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\n Thu 17 Sep 2026
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