STOCK & LAND | Fuel shock: rationing on the table, gouging probe, rising prices, tax fight

Australia’s fuel market has shifted into crisis mode, with supply shortages, rising prices and a price-gouging probe adding pressure across agriculture, freight and regional communities.

Diesel availability has tightened as global oil markets react to Middle East conflict, with some areas already reporting empty service stations and limits on fuel purchases.

Stock & Land reported that the Federal Government has moved to release strategic reserves, while regulators investigate sharp price increases.

For grain growers, the impact is immediate as they prepare for critical operations.

Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large said growers are already struggling to secure fuel and are looking for practical support.

He has called for expanded tax incentives to support on-farm storage, particularly for fuel infrastructure, as a way to manage supply risk.

The situation is compounding broader concerns across agriculture, with industry groups warning that without reliable diesel supply, planting, harvesting and freight could all be disrupted, pushing costs through the supply chain and into food prices.

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