Fuel prices have lifted and will hold through spring, with crude oil at about $96 a barrel, its highest in about a month. Chris Gourley, chief executive of Fern Energy, says no relief is in sight.

“We’re not seeing any sort of softening, unfortunately, just as we go into the busiest season of the year,” Gourley says.

He says pressure is building from the European winter and from China and the United States drawing down their reserves. China’s emergency stockpile has fallen from 1.4 billion barrels to 1.2 billion, while American reserves sit near 300 million barrels, their lowest in 40 years.

He says a supply shortage is unlikely, but a price spike is not. His advice to farmers and contractors is to buy as normal.

“Don’t hope and wait for that price to come down.

“Get your tanks full, gear up for the season.”

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.