Wheat harvest. File photoWASHINGTON, Jun 8Rising fuel prices in the US have doubled the cost to farmers for sowing this year, Ty Higgins, a spokesman for the Ohio State Department of Agriculture, told RIA Novosti. American Automobile Association, the cost of diesel has set another historical record, reaching 5.64 dollars per gallon. For comparison, according to official data, in the last week of Donald Trump's presidency in January 2020, the cost of a gallon of diesel was $ 3.03. «Diesel is not the only, but the most necessary fuel in agriculture,» Higgis told RIA Novosti. «When you think about the sowing campaign, imagine how many tractors use diesel, working day and night. What used to require $300-400 a day last year is now up to a thousand,» said a government official. As an organic farmer from California Javier Zamora, this year's sowing requires him to double the cost. “The rise in the price of diesel is a big problem because we supply our products directly to stores, hospitals and schools, so the amount of money that goes into this and tractors has almost doubled compared to last year, so the truth is hitting profits hard. «, says Zamora.
The cost of gasoline in the United States during the Biden presidency has doubledThe farmer has been involved in agricultural problems for more than 40 years, 10 of them on his own farm. He fears that the current rise in prices may be longer than expected. «I'm afraid that this will drag on and we will have problems for more than one season,» the agency's interlocutor complains. He adds that even before the spike in fuel prices due to the coronavirus pandemic, the prices of packaging and a number of other products on which his business depends. In addition to fuel, rising prices for seeds, fertilizers and equipment hit farmers, Higgins notes. «This is very stressful and makes farmers think about how they work, spend money more consciously in order to continue doing what they have to do in order to harvest a good harvest,» the source said. increased fertilizer costs. The interlocutor of the agency explained that about 20% of the fertilizers used by American farmers are imported — the country provides only 80% of consumption, while domestic producers have been significantly affected in the past two years due to supply chain disruptions and a number of natural disasters. Thus, according to the National Federation of Agriculture , U.S. fertilizer prices rose 300% last year. Since September 2020, ammonia has risen in price by 210%, carbamide — by more than 155%, liquid nitrogen — by almost 160%, three more types of fertilizers have risen in price at least three times. Rising energy costs, supply disruptions, rising demand, and rising prices for substances like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus were the main drivers of price increases last year. that fertilizers used by American farmers have risen in price by a total of 400%. «This will continue to be a problem,» the industry expert warns.The UN cannot confirm Kyiv's accusations against Moscow about «grain theft» According to Higgins' forecast, food prices for Americans will continue to rise for quite a long time, however, in his opinion, there will be no shortage of food. He explained that despite the rise in planting costs, higher prices for the final product — corn, soybeans and wheat — will allow farmers to make some money or at least not incur losses. However, he admits, oversupply of these crops on the market amid high production costs can be a problem. «They will find a way to cope, but the problem may be that they have to invest in a crop that does not cover these costs,» says Higgins. . He acknowledges that the situation is not yet such, but did not rule out that this would be possible if the prices for consumables continue to rise. Industry representatives consider the ongoing crisis in Ukraine to be one of the reasons for the growth in fuel. «The world today is interconnected, and what is happening in Russia and Ukraine obviously affects America and other countries,» farmer Zamora says. He recalls that the seeds come from that region, «certainly it has an impact.» Almost a third of the world's wheat and barley supplies, as well as half of all sunflower oil, come from Russia and Ukraine. Western countries accuse Moscow of obstructing Ukrainian exports, Russia, in turn, denies these accusations, emphasizing that the movement of goods from the ports will be possible as soon as Kyiv clears the ports. only cover the country's own needs, but will also be able to help offset the resulting deficit, Higgs is sure. «I think the markets are telling farmers what to do,» the expert says, predicting that «an increase in wheat plantings» can be expected in the US this year. According to him, American farmers will try their best to provide the necessary products to those who need it. oil from Russia hypocritical
