Arkansas is a top rice, soybean, and cotton state with the Arkansas Delta and Grand Prairie supporting intensive row crop production on highly productive alluvial soils. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $3.50–$3.91/gallon in Arkansas markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Southern supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $3.40–$3.80/gallon | +15–25% |
| Arkansas co-op / distributor | $3.50–$3.91/gallon | +18–28% |
| Arkansas retail delivered | $3.60–$4.03/gallon | +20–30% |
Diesel is near the midpoint of the 2-year range. Pre-buy on co-op fall discounts, but large forwards are not justified at current prices.
Arkansas receives fertilizer via Mississippi River barge at Memphis and White River terminals; Delta pricing tracks NOLA closely with 2–4% premium.
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| Crude oil prices | WTI crude is the primary cost driver; farm diesel tracks crude with a 6–8 week lag. |
| Refinery capacity | U.S. refinery utilization affects the diesel crack spread independent of crude prices. |
| Seasonal demand | Spring planting and fall harvest create regional price spikes of 5–10 cents per gallon. |
| Off-road vs. on-road | Dyed off-road diesel runs $0.10–$0.20/gallon below on-road retail; use where legal. |
Arkansas farmers typically source Diesel Fuel (Farm) through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Southern markets is to compare co-op pre-pay pricing versus spot retail, as pre-pay discounts of 5–12% are standard for early fall bookings.
As of spring 2026, Diesel Fuel (Farm) in Arkansas is priced at approximately $3.50–$3.91/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Arkansas sits in the Southern supply zone. Arkansas receives fertilizer via Mississippi River barge at Memphis and White River terminals. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 3–11% depending on season and logistics conditions.
Historically, fall pre-buy programs (August–October) offer the best pricing for the following spring application season. In-season spot prices during March–June carry a 5–15% logistics premium. GrainBrief's weekly signal tells you exactly when to act.
GrainBrief tracks USDA AMS, FRED, and EIA data weekly and sends you a buy, hold, or negotiate signal. Stop guessing. Start buying on data.
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