“It hasn’t really hit us yet, because we’ve got stuff in storage and tanks are relatively full, but it’s looming over us like a black cloud.”
The cost of fuel and natural gas has been volatile over the past weeks, due to war in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states, causing the price of fertiliser and red diesel to spiral.
Frankie Colwill, an arable farmer from Little Witley in Worcestershire, is “just on the edge” of the problem due to what he already has stored, but being on the precipice is concerning.
“We’re having conversations about the next purchases and I’m having some big palpitations,” he said.
“You’re thinking, it’s a long season ahead. It’s something that’s very ominous.”
The 39-year-old runs 650 acres including his family farm and his neighbour’s, and is currently growing wheat and rape, as well as the recent arrival of borage, which will make oil for face creams. His father and uncle still work on the farm, too.