South Carolina is a soybean, corn, and tobacco state with the Pee Dee region and Lowcountry supporting row crop and specialty production. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $3.67–$4.10/gallon in South Carolina 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% |
| South Carolina co-op / distributor | $3.67–$4.10/gallon | +23–33% |
| South Carolina retail delivered | $3.77–$4.22/gallon | +25–35% |
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.
South Carolina receives fertilizer via Charleston port and truck from Georgia distributors; pricing runs 6–9% over NOLA.
| 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. |
South Carolina 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 South Carolina is priced at approximately $3.67–$4.10/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
South Carolina sits in the Southern supply zone. South Carolina receives fertilizer via Charleston port and truck from Georgia distributors. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 8–16% 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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