As bombings continue across the Middle East, uncertainty around fuel prices and availability is growing in South African agricultural circles.
Industry players and even government sources have indicated that there is sufficient fuel supply in the country – with oil tankers still docked in ports such as Durban – but the combination of geopolitical tension, rising crude oil prices and market behaviour has created a squeeze that is directly affecting farmers.
Agribusinesses across the country have already started scrambling to protect their supply chains and ensure fair access for farmers. Measures such as closing order books, rationing at pumps, waiting periods for new orders and adjusting prices in line with purchase costs have become part of the response.
Also read: Free State Agriculture warns against diesel price manipulation amid global fuel tensions
Experts Offer Practical Advice
African Farming’s reporting team spoke to farmers and other agricultural specialists for practical tips on managing fuel use, limiting costs and reducing risk during a time of unprecedented price pressure and market uncertainty.
“Every litre counts,” say agricultural economists from Overberg Agri. Even small savings can make a difference.
Ruben Badenhorst from the Overberg Agri Caledon office suggests the following:
- Manage offloading points strategically. Where possible, have lime, fertiliser and chemicals delivered closer to where they will be used, rather than transporting everything to the main yard first – provided there is safe storage available elsewhere on the farm.
- Use precision technology. This prevents overlap during planting and application, ensuring that planters, sprayers and spreaders do not cover the same area more than once.
- Combine applications. Overberg Agri’s Roodebloem farm installed a spray boom on a planter, allowing planting and weed control to take place simultaneously. “We achieved a saving of about R72 000 per year by comparing the running costs of the two separate operations.”
- Ensure correct application of agrochemicals. Poor calibration leads to ineffective results and repeat applications, increasing both costs and diesel use.
- Consider variable-rate application. Apply inputs only where needed, based on soil analysis, to reduce unnecessary passes.
- Limit contract work. Additional jobs mean more travel and operating hours, increasing fuel consumption.
- Manage generator use carefully. “Plan usage and switch off when not needed – generators can significantly increase diesel consumption.”
- Plan based on actual fuel use. Calculate diesel usage per operation and per hectare to improve planning accuracy. Overberg Agri’s agricultural advisors can assist farmers with these calculations.
Also read: Farmers advised to secure fuel stocks ahead of price hikes
Cut Unnecessary Trips
Suzanne Lureman from Overberg Agri in Moorreesburg says fuel savings extend to everyday travel:
- Plan trips carefully – don’t drive to town unnecessarily. A farmer living 30km from town could spend R37,32 more per return trip with a R7,15/litre increase.
- Share transport with neighbours for workers, school runs or church.
- Use motorcycles or quad bikes where possible – they use significantly less fuel than bakkies. Also consider cycling, walking or horseback for checking livestock.
- Consider using drones to monitor livestock, pumps and equipment.
- Coordinate deliveries with suppliers. In the Western Cape, businesses such as Overberg Agri and Agrimark’s online platforms offer delivery options.
- Reassess field operations. “Know how many times your tractor moves across a field. Our data shows that the average wheat farmer makes about seven passes per season.”
- Farmers can use the free machinery cost guide compiled by Overberg Agri, Agrimark and SSK to determine their machinery’s running costs and estimated diesel consumption.
Compare Prices and Plan Ahead
Dawie Maree, head of agriculture information and marketing at FNB, says diesel shortages are already a reality. “I’ve heard of farmers ordering 20 000 litres and only receiving 10 000.”
He expects suppliers to manage stock carefully to serve as many clients as possible.
- Unlike petrol, diesel prices are not fixed at retail level, so farmers should compare suppliers. “The under-recovery is significant, and we will definitely see a major price increase in April unless government intervenes – which I doubt.”
- No one knows how long the conflict in the Middle East will continue. “I believe it is always essential for large diesel users to hedge their diesel price. We offer such diesel hedging products through FNB and RMB, but large buyers should feel free to contact their banks to explore options for the future. There will always be uncertainty.”
Also read: Diesel crisis threatens Western Cape Agriculture
Think Out of the Box
Danie Minnaar, who farms on Springboklaagte near Kroonstad and is the chairman of Senwes, says farmers are trying to keep tanks full regardless of price. It seems the price of diesel has already risen even though the official price increase is only on the first Wednesday of April.
The possibility of shortages means farmers need to think out of the box.
- Using herbicides instead of mechanical cultivation may be worth considering – it could save diesel.
- Ask a simple question before starting a tractor: “Is it really necessary?” Non-essential work, such as fence repairs or road maintenance, may need to be postponed.
Cobus van Coller, a farmer from Viljoenskroon, says accurate information and communication are critical. Farmers face a difficult balance between buying early at high prices and risking shortages later.
Planting and harvesting seasons require reliable fuel supply: “You can’t stop halfway through harvesting – once you start, you have to finish.”
His advice:
- Set aside fuel for critical operations like planting and harvesting.
- Delay non-essential tasks.
- Avoid emotional or uninformed purchases.
Farmers Feel the Pressure
Three of South Africa’s award-winning young farmers are grappling with ways to improve already efficient fuel use.
“It almost feels unreal. It’s one of those things you never really expect to happen, but now we’re talking about a possible diesel price increase of R7 per litre. It’s insane,” says Heiko Gevers, KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year for 2023.
His words reflect the shock felt by many South Africans over the expected fuel price hikes.
Heiko is not sure how his family’s BH Gevers Farming operation in the Lüneburg district will reduce fuel consumption any further, as it is already tightly managed.
BH Gevers Farming uses an average of about 8 000 litres of diesel and 200 litres of petrol per month, mainly for its commercial forestry and cropping operations.
At the current wholesale price for 50ppm diesel, compared with the expected price from midnight on 31 March, their monthly diesel bill could rise from about R148 560 to R204 880 – an increase of R56 320. Their petrol bill may increase by R850, from R4 060 to R4 910.
The biggest fuel users on the farm are essential vehicles and machinery, including the timber truck, the timber contractor’s loaders and chainsaws, as well as the farm’s harvester and tractors.
“There’s really not much more we can do to save fuel. If high fuel prices become a long-term reality, the only option I see is to shift timber transport from road to rail. We’ll also have to look at markets that are closer,” Heiko says.
“Another option is to use more manual labour and equipment for tasks that are usually mechanised. I don’t know what else we can do at this stage.”
Dwayne Kaschula, the 2024 Toyota/AgriSA Young Farmer of the Year for 2024, says his business uses about 30 000 litres of fuel per month. He farms with maize, potatoes and eggs, among others.
“Fuel price increases and their knock-on effects are yet another cost that farmers have to carry themselves while making little to no profit,” he says. “There’s very little room left to cut back. All I can still do is review our truck routes and delivery volumes.”
Guy English, KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year for 2024, says there are few immediate solutions, but he is considering larger structural changes on his farm in the Mooi River district, such as switching from minimum tillage to full no-till practices to save on fuel costs for soil preparation.
“Unfortunately, diesel goes hand in hand with farming, and we just have to keep going as best we can.”
A Growing Risk: Farm Safety
Rising prices and increased fuel storage on farms also bring a less visible risk: crime.
Experts warn that fuel theft and organised criminal activity could increase significantly under current conditions, making vigilance and basic security measures more important than ever.
Also read: Despair expected at diesel pumps this April
