Agricultural industry groups in South Africa have called for urgent government intervention to address emerging fuel supply constraints in rural areas, warning that disruptions could threaten farming operations and food security.
AgriSA and Agbiz, which collectively represent the full agricultural value chain, on Monday urged the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to consider a temporary adjustment to the country’s fuel pricing mechanism.
The appeal follows the completion of a joint survey conducted on 24 and 27 March 2026 among farmers and fuel retailers servicing the agricultural sector. While official statements have maintained that national fuel supply remains stable, the findings suggest a more complex situation on the ground.
According to the survey, multiple regions are already experiencing constrained supply, with increasing reports of fuel rationing. Retailers, citing uncertainty over replenishment, have begun limiting the volumes they sell, raising concerns across the farming community.
Industry stakeholders say the situation is beginning to disrupt normal agricultural and agribusiness operations at a critical stage in the production cycle. Activities such as planting, harvesting and transportation—which are highly dependent on reliable fuel access—are particularly vulnerable.
AgriSA and Agbiz noted that the current constraints do not appear to stem from a single cause. Instead, they point to a combination of global oil market volatility, shifting supply chain dynamics, and behavioural responses within the market as contributing factors.
In such an environment, the organisations argue, pricing signals become crucial in maintaining market stability.
To mitigate the situation, the groups have proposed an immediate, out-of-cycle fuel price adjustment that more accurately reflects prevailing market conditions. They have also called for the introduction of more frequent, temporary price reviews, replacing the standard monthly adjustment system for the duration of the current volatility.
“These measures are not intended to increase costs to the sector,” the organisations said in a joint statement. “Rather, they aim to ensure that pricing reflects underlying conditions more accurately, thereby reducing incentives for panic buying or supply withholding.”
The proposal aligns with similar calls from fuel retailer associations, which have also advocated for more responsive pricing mechanisms amid uncertainty in supply.
Fuel remains a critical input in agriculture, typically accounting for between 12% and 18% of production costs. Any disruption in availability, particularly during peak operational periods, could have far-reaching consequences across the food value chain.
Experts warn that prolonged supply constraints could hinder production, disrupt logistics, and ultimately impact food availability and prices.
AgriSA and Agbiz reiterated their support for a stable and well-functioning fuel supply system, emphasising the need for proactive and proportionate policy responses during periods of market volatility.
As pressure mounts, attention now turns to the government’s response and whether adjustments to the fuel pricing framework will be implemented to stabilise supply and safeguard the agricultural sector.
