Middle East conflict: Will energy, fuel and fertiliser prices rise?
5th March 2026
Events in the Middle East could have a significant impact on energy, fuel and fertiliser prices, farming industry representatives warn.
Wholesale prices of fuel have risen abruptly in recent days, with increases of up to 20p per litre across England and Wales, CLA confirms.
“Markets remain volatile and show signs of continued upward pressure. We cannot predict what will happen in the long term, but there will likely be instability in the short term.
“For this reason, we urge CLA members across farms, rural homes, estates and diversified businesses to take practical steps now to manage usage and protect budgets,” a spokesperson for the association said.
The US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February and the subsequent de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered knock-on disruptions to shipments of fertiliser raw materials.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-third of global trade in key fertiliser raw materials. Prolonged disruption could significantly affect the global fertiliser supply chain.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “The escalating conflict in the Middle East is of concern, as any persistent impacts to global energy markets will have a knock-on effect on the future availability and price of fuel and fertiliser.
“We are seeing immediate price volatility, but at this stage, it is too early to say how the UK may be impacted in the medium term.”
CLA advice
CLA experts said that farmers who manage busy farms with a lot of land and agricultural machinery will benefit from making a lot of small changes that will have a wider impact across their entire business.
Plan and consolidate fuel deliveries:
- Monitor tank levels closely and forecast usage
- Avoid running critically low, but resist panic buying
- Consolidate orders across sites where possible.
Reduce operational consumption:
- Minimise engine idling on tractors, loaders and generators
- Combine field operations to reduce machine hours
- Maintain correct tyre pressures to improve efficiency.
Maintain machinery for efficiency:
- Service engines and clean air filters
- Check injectors and fuel systems
- Keep storage tanks clean to prevent contamination and wastage.
Ideas for rural homes and let properties
- Closely tracking energy usage and planning ahead should help you manage any sudden changes in price.
- Monitor heating oil levels
- Check tanks regularly and plan refills in advance
- Avoid emergency top-ups, which can be more costly.
Improve heating efficiency
- Service boilers annually
- Reduce thermostat settings slightly where comfortable
- Check insulation, draught-proofing and heating timers.
- Coordinate deliveries
- Where estates manage multiple properties, consider grouped deliveries to reduce transport costs.
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