Delaware is a corn, soybean, and poultry state with Sussex County forming one of the most concentrated agricultural zones on the East Coast. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $3.77–$4.22/gallon in Delaware markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Northeast supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $3.40–$3.80/gallon | +15–25% |
| Delaware co-op / distributor | $3.77–$4.22/gallon | +26–36% |
| Delaware retail delivered | $3.88–$4.33/gallon | +28–38% |
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.
Delaware receives fertilizer via Delaware River ports and truck from Maryland; small size means most farmers rely on co-op purchasing to access competitive pricing.
| 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. |
Delaware farmers typically source Diesel Fuel (Farm) through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Northeast 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 Delaware is priced at approximately $3.77–$4.22/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Delaware sits in the Northeast supply zone. Delaware receives fertilizer via Delaware River ports and truck from Maryland. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 11–19% 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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