Maine is a potato, blueberry, and dairy state with Aroostook County — the nation's top potato county — supporting intensive row crop production in the north. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $4.01–$4.48/gallon in Maine 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% |
| Maine co-op / distributor | $4.01–$4.48/gallon | +33–43% |
| Maine retail delivered | $4.11–$4.60/gallon | +35–45% |
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.
Maine sources fertilizer via Searsport port and truck from Massachusetts; Aroostook County potato farmers pay 14–20% premiums over NOLA due to distance and logistics.
| 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. |
Maine 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 Maine is priced at approximately $4.01–$4.48/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Maine sits in the Northeast supply zone. Maine sources fertilizer via Searsport port and truck from Massachusetts. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 18–26% 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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