The price of fertilizers has also increased considerably.
“It could be $4.50 a ton, which is now like $1,200 a ton.”
And it forces farmers like Duckins to make tough decisions.
“In 38 years we have never been pregnant, ever,” Duckins said.
This year, Duckins says he won’t wear a pound.
“We’re going to plant the seed in the ground and pray and hope it comes out.”
Between lack of fertilization and labor shortages, he says, he could cut his chili production in half. The prices of other chemicals, such as herbicides used by farmers, have also risen sharply.
“We bought it in a 250-gallon container. It has been running at $5,000 a container for many years. This year it is at $15,000 and this is a waiting list.”
Duckins says this is an issue facing farmers across the country, and these costs will eventually be passed on to buyers.
“You are going to see higher prices, you are going to see empty shelves, I guarantee you, you are there, it is going to go back to oil,” he said. It’s not war, it goes well before. It may have gotten a little worse, but we’re still sitting here paying a heavy price. There are wars all over the world, but they refuse to pump any more oil.”
He says he will start planting in the first week of April and get those prayers answered.
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