On October 19, 2026, the USDA announced a new $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program, funded through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), to help offset rising production costs that farmers are currently facing. While traditional Title I crops, such as corn and soybeans, expect payment formulas based on standard acreage calculations, which were expected to begin this past October, the path for specialty crop producers remains unclear. The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) are actively working together, pressing federal officials to ensure that fresh produce is properly accounted for in the upcoming framework.

Perishable commodities require more fuel than most people realize. Beyond the tractor engine, field harvesting, rapid transit to packing houses, precooling, and continuous forced-air cold storage systems consume massive amounts of energy before the product even hits the road. A flat acreage model works against specialty crop growers whose heaviest fuel burn happens during harvest, precooling, and transit. In a market where fuel prices constantly fluctuate and directly affect delivered produce prices, it is important to account for the entire post-harvest supply chain. 



IFPA and other industry alliances are working to collect structured data to advocate for a fair method with the USDA leadership. Until then, growers are strongly encouraged to hold off on submitting individual fuel data directly to the agency so the industry can present a unified, data-driven case. As we continue to monitor these policies, we hope to help our shippers navigate these shifting fuel surcharges and keep your freight moving seamlessly from field to shelf.