‘Farmers will feel delayed impact of fuel price increases’

For many farmers, the impact of the current fuel price increases will be delayed, given that many producers who are in the process of harvesting and planting would have already stocked up on fuel for the season, according to Pertunia Setumo, agricultural economist at FNB Agribusiness.

‘Farmers will feel delayed impact of fuel price increases’
June fuel price increases will most likely not have a major impact on production costs for those farmers who are currently harvesting and planting crops since most of these producers would have stocked up on diesel earlier in the season when fuel prices were lower.
Photo: Denene Erasmus
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For many farmers, the impact of the current fuel price increases will be delayed, given that many producers who are in the process of harvesting and planting would have already stocked up on fuel for the season, according to Pertunia Setumo, agricultural economist at FNB Agribusiness.

Effective from Wednesday, 3 June, 93 and 95 octane petrol will increase by R1,18/ℓ; 0,05% diesel by 22c/ℓ; 0,005% diesel by 21c/ℓ; and Illuminating paraffin by 40c/ℓ.

Despite these increases, the price of petrol was still on average R2/ℓ lower than it was at the beginning of the lockdown period, which took effect in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a statement released by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

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Setumo said decreases in fuel prices during the past two months had offered farmers an opportunity to stock up on diesel for the summer crop harvesting season, as well as for the planting of winter crops.

‘’However, there remains an upside risk to prices and possible further increase as the benchmark Brent Crude [oil] price recovers on the back of slow recovery in demand, as [countries] ease lockdown regulations. This will push up input costs such as fertilisers and pesticides,’’ said Setumo.

Dr Thulasizwe Mkhabela, an agricultural economist and group executive for impact and partnerships at the Agricultural Research Council, said fuel costs were a significant contributor to overall farming costs.

For example, diesel costs accounted for approximately 11% of the total production cost of grain farming.

“Given that the price increase for diesel is small, it is not expected to have a huge bearing on the farming sector, especially given that most of the summer rainfall areas are only focussing on harvesting activities,” he said.

Mkhabela said most farmers had fuel/diesel storage facilities on-site, and thus bought diesel in bulk, and in advance.

“Most will feel the pinch once their [stored reserves] run dry and have to [be refilled],” he added.

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Siyanda Sishuba has a degree in broadcast journalism. She graduated in 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. She is passionate about the environment and agriculture. Siyanda grew up in Whittlesea and has seen how climate change and invasive species are affecting farmers in her community. She’s worked at the Weekend Post, a local newspaper in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. Thereafter she landed herself a job at Debt Management Consultants in East London, writing articles for company’s newsletter. She then moved to Johannesburg to work for the Department of Environmental Affairs Biosecurity Advocacy Unit