On 22 October, during Defra questions in the Commons, South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith told the House that many fishermen have seen their fuel costs roughly double since the Iran conflict began. That is an MP’s figure rather than a measured one, and it is boats’ red diesel rather than road fuel, but it lines up with what the trade bodies have been saying for weeks.
The NFFO warned in late September that surging fuel costs are pushing parts of the fleet towards a financial crisis, calling it the second major spike this year and saying diesel had roughly doubled since the conflict started. In Cornwall, the CFPO’s Chris Ranford put it plainly: fuel is one of the biggest operating costs for a vessel, and boats cannot keep absorbing these increases.
Ms Smith pointed out that Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and Germany have all given their fishermen fuel support. The Government’s answer was existing help, not new money: Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan pointed to rebated red diesel, marine voyages relief and the fishing and coastal growth fund. None of those touch the road diesel going into your van, so there is nothing there for us.
Why it matters to you: the CFPO’s 2024 report found each fisherman supports around 15 further jobs across Cornwall’s seafood economy, and merchants are part of that chain. If inshore boats tie up on days when the sums don’t work, landings get patchier. Expect more day-to-day variation in what is on the market and what it costs, especially day-boat species from the South West.
It is already showing at the auctions. Undercurrent’s report for week 43, dated 26 October, had cod firming at the Scottish markets and smaller haddock grades rebounding. With boats under cost pressure, I wouldn’t bank on quiet autumn prices carrying into the Christmas build-up, so price your Christmas pre-orders with some headroom rather than off this month’s buying.
On your own diesel, the only lever is how you use it. Combine deliveries into fewer, fuller rounds, pre-cool the box on mains at the depot rather than on the engine, keep tyre pressures and fridge filters checked, and don’t sit at the kerb with the unit on full. The minister faces the EFRA Committee this week; if any scheme covers road vehicles, I’ll let you know.
Quick checklist
- Price Christmas pre-orders with headroom: cod firmed again in week 43.
- Combine deliveries into fewer, fuller rounds to cut diesel.
- Pre-cool the box on mains at the depot, not on the engine.
- Check tyre pressures and fridge-unit filters so nothing works harder than needed.
- Avoid long kerbside idling with the fridge on full.
Also in the news
- Scottish auction cod prices climbed towards recent highs in week 43 while smaller haddock grades rebounded, reported on 26 October. Source
- On 26 October the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation warned the PM an SPS deal must not reach into fisheries management, ahead of the 20 November Brussels summit. Source
- Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan faces the EFRA Committee on Tuesday 27 October on fishing industry engagement and food security. Source
If dearer diesel has you thinking about a more efficient van for the rounds, here are three worth a look, and you can search every van by temperature, size and budget on our website at https://grv4fridgevans.com.
- 2026 Renault Trafic SL30 Advance Refrigerated Chiller Van: £29,995 +VAT
- 2026 Citroën Relay L3H2 Enterprise Refrigerated Chiller Van: £34,995 +VAT
- 2022 Renault Master 35 Business+ LWB Refrigerated Freezer Van: £30,495 +VAT
See all our fridge vans for fish and seafood
Call us on 01444 245555 to talk it through.
Sources: Government Urged to Back UK Fishermen Facing Fuel Cost Surge – UK Fishing Industry – The Fishing Daily – Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News, Government urged to back UK fishermen facing fuel cost surge – ICSF, NFFO Warns Fuel Crisis Threatens Fleet Survival Nationwide – UK Fishing Industry – The Fishing Daily – Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News, High diesel costs threaten UK fishing fleet viability, group warns, Scottish auction cod prices climb toward highs in week 43 as haddock rebound – Undercurrent News, Fishermen warn PM against further EU concessions ahead of Brussels summit
