'Even if Iran war ends now, farmers' costs will have to be passed on'

'Even if Iran war ends now, farmers' costs will have to be passed on'Just nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleFaarea Masud,Business reporterandEmma Simpson,Business correspondentBBCFruit grower Ali Capper says her fertiliser costs have gone up by 40%, while red diesel she uses for her tractors has gone up 100%When fruit grower Ali Capper woke to news that war had broken out in Iran, she says she "felt quite sick" anticipating the repurcussions for the UK farming industry.Farmers and growers in peak planting season are grappling with spiralling costs as the conflict pushes up the price of fuel and fertiliser.News of a two-week ceasefire aimed at resolving the conflict comes too late for this growing season, says Ali, who represents British apple and pear growers. "Sadly, even if it all ends tomorrow, the costs are baked in now."New figures suggest inflation - the rate at which prices rise - for farm running costs is more than 7% higher this March, compared with last March.The data from independent consultants The Andersons Centre is the first estimate of the overall impact on the agricultural sector since the conflict began suggests The Andersons Centre, which provides analysis and research for organisations across the farming sector and has also done a study for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, is warning of another "cost of farming squeeze". Farmers have told the National Farmers Union they can't absorb the extra costs and food prices will likely have to rise as a result.'Brutal'On her farm in Suckley, Worcestershire, Ali says her fertiliser costs have gone up by 40%, red diesel she uses for her tractors has gone up 100% and transport costs are up by about 20%.A third of the world's fertiliser usually passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked during the conflict and consequently prices have shot up in recent weeks.Red diesel, a fuel used by farmers...