UK Farmers Hit by 50% Fertilizer and Fuel Price Surge
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- Andrew Williamson warned that rising fertilizer and fuel costs are making it harder for his 900‑acre farm to break even.
- Fertiliser prices have jumped 50% since July 2025, from £330 to £490 per tonne, Williamson reported.
- National Farmers' Union noted that natural gas accounts for roughly 60‑80% of the cost of producing nitrogen fertilisers.
- red diesel prices have risen roughly 50% compared with pre‑Iran‑war levels, Williamson said.
- Livestock farmers would be hammered by the price rise because they buy fertiliser as needed rather than stockpiling, Williamson said.
- Ed Miliband said the government will not tolerate profiteering in the fuel sector amid the Iran conflict.
- Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel, prompting governments to release emergency reserves, the article notes.
Why it matters: The price spikes hit arable and livestock producers alike, eroding margins for farms that already struggled after two poor harvests; consumers will feel the effect on shelves, and the government faces pressure to curb alleged fuel price gouging in the near term.
