National average diesel prices hit $6.285 per gallon for the week ending September 14 — the first time the benchmark has crossed $6 in history. That's a jump of nearly 32 cents in a single week, following a 37-cent spike the week before. Diesel is now up 68% compared to a year ago, with some regions running even higher.
The surge is being driven by the ongoing conflict with Iran pushing oil above $100 per barrel, combined with low distillate inventories heading into fall maintenance season. That seasonal timing matters: refineries typically cut output for maintenance just as harvest-season demand for diesel peaks, creating a recurring autumn squeeze — but this year's starting point is far higher than normal.
For produce buyers and logistics teams, this is a significant input cost event. Transportation already accounts for a major slice of delivered cost, and reefer rates were already elevated heading into this week. Worth monitoring whether shippers begin passing surcharges through to buyers and whether shorter-haul sourcing decisions shift in response.