COLUMBIA, Louisiana — The Iran war has significantly increased fuel and fertilizer costs, placing financial strain on U.S. farmers in Louisiana. Agriculture pilot Reed Keahey reported that the price of Jet-A fuel, which his plane requires, surged from $2.46 per gallon in February to a peak of $4.11 in May. As of this week, the price has slightly decreased to $3.18 but is rising again. Keahey purchases 7,500 gallons at a time, meaning his fuel costs reached over $30,000 per round at the peak.
David and Theresa Guererro, who own a farming business, face similar challenges with urea fertilizer, a critical nitrogen-based product for their corn crops. Nearly half of global urea exports originate in the Persian Gulf, a region heavily impacted by the war due to intermittent closures of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. The Guererros reported being $120,000 to $130,000 overbudget on urea, raising concerns about their farm's survival.
The American Farm Bureau Federation noted a 46% increase in U.S. farm bankruptcies last year compared to 2024. Keahey, who could pass on the higher fuel costs to farmers, has chosen to absorb the expenses himself to support his clients. 'Right now, it's a game of survival,' he said. 'If the farmers aren't in business, then I'm not in business.'