'It's pretty bloody concerning': inflation taking a toll

Farmers are taking a close look at costs. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 14 Mar 2022

Prices are up but farmers are down and it's not like they don't have plenty to worry about.Fuel prices were up 44.4% on the year in the December quarter according to the latest farm expenses price index from Stats NZ. Fertiliser costs were up 28.6%. Total input prices – including livestock – were up 7.0%.That was before Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine and before omicron hit.Skyrocketing prices coupled with concerns about how things are going to pan out were the driving force behind the plunge in farmer...

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