Australia’s agricultural sector is currently experiencing increasing operational pressures across fuel supply, fertiliser and broader supply chains. These pressures are complex, interconnected and evolving, with impacts already being felt across production systems, logistics networks and rural communities.
AgriFutures Australia is working closely with industry and government to ensure that these impacts are clearly understood, quantified and communicated. Tightening diesel access, rising input costs and supply chain disruption are creating real and immediate challenges for producers and supply chain operators.
Insights from recent AgriFutures industry engagement confirm that pressures are not isolated; they are being felt across multiple industries, including chicken meat, rice, honeybee and cropping systems.
AgriFutures also acknowledges that the operational pressures across fuel supply and broader supply chains are not just financial or logistical; they are affecting people experiencing decision fatigue and ongoing uncertainty, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters, where recovery efforts place additional strain on already stretched systems and individuals.
AgriFutures Australia is not an advocacy body.
Our role is to convene industry, draw on existing research and build the evidence base to support informed decision-making on fuel supply, fertiliser and broader supply chain pressures.
We do this by:
We remain in close contact with the Australian Government through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, our fellow Research and Development Corporations and industry stakeholders to ensure real-time intelligence informs a coordinated national response.
Below are the AgriFutures Australia fuel supply, fertiliser and supply chain communiques:
National Food Supply Chain Assessment
AgriFutures Australia will fund and support, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Australia’s food security, a National Food Supply Chain Assessment.
This Assessment will take a system-wide view of vulnerabilities across agricultural inputs, supply chains, and logistics networks, with an immediate focus on diesel.
This work will help ensure that immediate challenges are addressed while also informing longer-term resilience planning.
Working with industry
AgriFutures is working alongside our fellow Research and Development Corporations as well as peak industry bodies across farming and supply chains.
Peak industry bodies are playing a critical role in advocacy and are actively engaged with government on immediate and longer-term solutions, including:
AgriFutures complements this work by ensuring decisions are informed by robust data, system-wide insights and a clear understanding of interdependencies across the agricultural sector.
What is happening with fuel supply in agriculture?
Fuel access is tightening across some regions, with reports of capped volumes, reduced supplier availability and localised outages. At the same time, fuel and transport costs have increased significantly, placing additional pressure on already constrained production systems.
These challenges are affecting time-critical agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting, through stock management and processing. Delays can have consequences for production, quality and animal welfare.
What industries are most affected?
Impacts are being felt across multiple industries, particularly those with time-sensitive production systems. For example:
Are supply chains at risk?
The Australian Government has advised that the short-term supply of key inputs, including packaging and plastics, remains stable; however, rising costs and ongoing volatility present increasing risks.
Fuel-dependent inputs, freight and logistics are all under pressure, creating flow-on effects across the supply chain, from production to processing and distribution.
Where can I go for further information or support?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provides updates on broader agricultural policy settings via its website.
For broader business support, including financial and advisory services, you may wish to explore the Australian Government website and relevant state or territory agencies.
Support services for producers, their families and rural communities are available via Ask Izzy, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
What are the key pieces of research and development AgriFutures has undertaken?
AgriFutures Australia has delivered a range of targeted research and development projects over the past five years to help the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Delivered through the Rural Futures program, this work focuses on strengthening industry resilience, improving sustainability, and supporting long-term productivity in the face of global and domestic pressures.
Key areas of research include:
Energy transition and fuel security
AgriFutures has undertaken significant research into alternative energy technologies and the transition away from traditional diesel. This includes:
Supply chain resilience and global disruption
Research has examined the impacts of global logistics disruptions and shifting geopolitical dynamics on Australian agriculture, including:
Regional manufacturing and value-adding
Work has identified opportunities and challenges in strengthening domestic manufacturing capability:
Sustainability and circular economy solutions
Projects have explored innovative approaches to reducing waste and improving resource efficiency:
Emerging technologies and innovation
AgriFutures has also investigated future-focused technologies to support industry innovation:
This body of work demonstrates AgriFutures Australia’s commitment to equipping industry with the insights and tools needed to navigate change, reduce risk, and capitalise on new opportunities.
AgriFutures will continue to collaborate with the Australian Government, industry and fellow research and development corporations to respond to current pressures and help safeguard Australia’s food system.
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