The Sydney Morning Herald — Business

Regional Diesel Runs Dry as Metro Panic-Buying Hits WA Farms

Western Australian farmers are confronting diesel shortages after metropolitan panic‑buying drained regional supplies, leaving some farms waiting up to three weeks for fuel deliveries. The scarcity threatens critical seeding and harvesting operations on wheatbelt, potato and horticultural farms, with limited allocations of 4,000 litres lasting only a few days. In response, Premier Roger Cook announced a seven‑point plan targeting fuel and fertilizer imports, provider accountability, and weekly industry coordination. The crisis highlights the fragility of supply chains linking urban demand to rural production.