Fuel Prices Increase By Over 30% in 12 Months

IFA Farm Business Chair Rose Mary McDonagh said there’s been a significant rise in fuel prices across the country over the last 12 months, following the completion of a national survey by IFA.

“Fuel prices have increased by over 30% compared to this time last year, which can be attributed to the recovery in crude oil prices.”

The spot price for a barrel of crude oil collapsed to $20 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, but it has steadily returned to pre-pandemic price levels this month ($65-$70).

This rise in fuel prices reflects the latest CSO figures on agricultural input prices which demonstrated that farmers are caught in a classic cost-price squeeze.

“The rise in input prices without a corresponding increase in output prices means that the difference is coming out of farmers’ pockets, and impacting on their bottom line,” said Rose Mary McDonagh.

IFA has completed a national survey on the price of white diesel, green diesel and kerosene.

The average prices quoted incl. VAT were as follows:

White diesel – €1.31/litre,

Green diesel – €0.69/litre, and

Kerosene – €0.65/litre.

There were variations of over €0.09/litre incl. VAT between the counties surveyed.

On 1,000 litres of green diesel incl. VAT, the saving could be as high as €98.

Allowing for outliers, there is little price variation across the country compared to this time last year. Notwithstanding that, IFA is reminding its members that it pays to shop around for fuel.

Rosemary McDonagh added that some suppliers indicated that purchases in larger volumes tend to work out cheaper, particularly if paying on the day. Purchasing groups tended to receive the keenest quotes.

“Further discounts can be secured when ordering fuel online,” concluded Ms. McDonagh.