Vermont Farmers Face Doubled Trucking Costs as Iran War Lifts Fuel and Fertilizer Prices
Updated
Updated · VTDigger · May 10
Vermont Farmers Face Doubled Trucking Costs as Iran War Lifts Fuel and Fertilizer Prices
8 articles · Updated · VTDigger · May 10
Regional trucking costs for some Vermont farms have doubled since the Strait of Hormuz closed, squeezing growers just as the field season gets underway.
Fuel is the most immediate hit: diesel now costs more for farm equipment and food deliveries, while fertilizer and even organic inputs are getting pricier through higher production and transport costs.
Ananda Gardens in Montpelier said it is buying ahead to cover the 2026 season and absorbing part of the increase because its CSA prices were set in 2025.
University of Vermont's Heather Darby had warned in March that Iran-war disruptions would raise fuel and fertilizer prices, with the heaviest burden falling on farms that use the most fuel or commercial fertilizer.
The pressure is landing as sales already look slower than usual, raising the risk that farmers will have to cut costs elsewhere while consumers pull back spending.
With fertilizer costs soaring, could this crisis accelerate a nationwide shift toward more resilient, organic farming practices?
As farm profits shrink, what happens to the vulnerable immigrant workers who are the backbone of American agriculture?
How will the U.S. rebuild its supply chains to protect food security from future international conflicts?