PEORIA, Ill. — There remain significant supply chain concerns for many central Illinois farmers and agricultural producers.
A combination of ongoing high fuel prices as well as uncertainty with a railroad worker labor dispute and climate concerns have come together to create considerable headaches.
Mark Gebhardt with the Illinois Farm Bureau told RFD Radio how diesel fuel prices have not followed the broader trend downward like other gasoline blends.
According to Triple A, the current price for a gallon of diesel gasoline averages $5.32 across the state.
The average price for diesel fuel in Illinois stood at $5.04 one month ago.
“Right now, refinery capacity is trying to catch up because they are behind. For the Midwest, we are looking at (capacity) levels about fifteen percent below normal,” said Gebhardt.
He says as harvest season continues, “that coupled with the low river water levels and the impact that’s having on our ability to move or even load barges certainly presents a concerning scenario.”
Of course, ag producers often move their harvested goods using diesel fueled trucks, trains or rivers.
In reference to the ongoing railroad worker dispute, Gebhardt says he expects a resolution sometime after the November Mid-Term elections.
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