Farmers warn diesel prices threaten UK food supply despite G7 fuel release

Farming leaders have warned that soaring diesel prices could disrupt the UK's food supply. The warning comes despite Donald Trump ruling out a diesel export ban, hours after G7 nations agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from emergency stockpiles.

On a farm in North Wiltshire, diesel is used every other day to put fresh straw down for cattle. The farm supplies beef to M&S, but the cost of producing it is rising fast. The farmer called the situation terrifying and said diesel was becoming unaffordable. She asked what would happen if diesel stocks dry up. Farms can store only a limited amount of fuel. Without diesel, the farm could not feed its cattle, let alone the public.

Diesel is also essential for moving food before it reaches the fork. Haulage firms are among the biggest consumers of diesel, and their costs have nearly doubled since the start of the year. Operators say they can pass on only some of the increase because they fear losing customers. One haulier described the fuel price as the last nail in the coffin for a business already facing other pressures.

Exclusive analysis shows the rise in diesel costs is adding £35 million a week to hauliers' fuel bills in the UK. Running a long-distance lorry has gone up by more than £9,000 a year. Electric trucks remain rare: 97% of new lorries registered last year were diesel. The costs ultimately feed through to supermarket prices.

The 100 million extra barrels of oil and diesel announced on Friday is welcome, but questions remain over how quickly it will affect forecourt prices and how long the reserves will last. One analyst said the release is about 17% of overall reserves, located mainly in France and Germany, and would probably buy about 10 days. It is a temporary measure that will have some impact on prices but does not address the fundamental challenges. The shortage comes from two live conflicts, one in Europe and one in the Middle East. The geopolitical tussle over diesel this week means the impact on the UK and its supply chains could be felt for some time.

In later discussion, commentators described the fuel release as a sticking plaster. They argued that diesel underpins logistics and distribution, so higher prices risk feeding inflation and leaving households with less disposable income. They said supplies are not robust and pointed to the UK's exposure to international energy shocks. Suggested responses included producing more domestic energy, such as North Sea oil and gas, and reopening refinery capacity in the UK, so Europe is less reliant on the international market. The government has said supplies are robust and there is no need to panic, though previous fuel scares have led to queues at petrol stations. The wider point is that even people who do not drive are affected because the economy runs on diesel.