Farmers across Britain are beginning to feel the impact of the global energy crunch, with diesel supplies tightening and rationing emerging in some areas.
Wholesalers of red diesel—the lower-tax fuel used to power farm machinery—have started limiting how much farmers can buy, particularly in parts of Essex and Scotland.
Suppliers are spreading deliveries more thinly to ensure wider access, with large orders being cut into smaller allocations. In some cases, farmers report being restricted to as little as 500 litres per delivery.
The squeeze is already changing behaviour on the ground. Some farmers are stockpiling fuel where possible, while others warn that operating without reliable diesel supplies is extremely difficult, particularly during critical farming periods.
At the same time, prices have surged. Red diesel has jumped from around 70p per litre at the start of the conflict to over £1.26, significantly increasing operating costs. For large-scale farms, where machinery can consume hundreds or even thousands of litres per day, the financial impact is substantial.
The disruption is linked to the wider oil shock caused by tensions in the Middle East, with flows through the Strait of Hormuz severely affected. As the UK relies heavily on imported diesel, any global supply disruption quickly feeds through to domestic shortages.
Industry groups say the situation is not yet widespread, but are closely monitoring developments, warning that prolonged disruption could begin to affect food production and supply chains if conditions worsen.
