Farmers Market Vendors Squeezed by Iran War's Oil Price Hike

Soaring fuel costs threaten generational farming livelihoods at North Carolina's Raleigh Farmer's Market

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:54pm

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The ongoing war between the United States and Iran has caused a spike in global oil prices, squeezing longtime Raleigh Farmer's Market vendors like Sandra Garner and Judy Montague. With diesel and gasoline prices skyrocketing, the cost to transport their farm-fresh meats, produce, and other goods to the market has become a major financial burden, forcing them to consider raising prices or cutting back on other expenses.

Why it matters

The Raleigh Farmer's Market is a vital community hub that connects local farmers and food producers directly with consumers. As fuel costs rise due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, the livelihoods of these generational farming families are threatened, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers or even some vendors being priced out of the market altogether.

The details

Garner's family has been farming since before the American Revolution, and she has been selling at the Raleigh Farmer's Market for 23 years. Her freezers full of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb are popular with customers, but the war in Iran has driven up her transportation costs dramatically. Garner says the 75-mile round trip from her farm in Snow Hill to the market is now "very expensive" due to soaring gas and diesel prices. Montague, who runs Homeplace Farm with her husband, is also feeling the pinch, as her husband's diesel truck now costs over $100 to fill up a quarter of a tank.

  • The war in Iran began on February 28, 2026.
  • As of Sunday, gas prices around North Carolina have jumped by an average of $1 to $3.94 per gallon since the war began.
  • In Raleigh, gas prices averaged $3.71 per gallon, up 98 cents over the last month.

The players

Sandra Garner

A longtime vendor at the Raleigh Farmer's Market, whose family has been in the farming business since before the American Revolution.

Judy Montague

Runs Homeplace Farm with her husband and also sells at the Raleigh Farmer's Market.

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What they’re saying

“Coming to the market…about 75 miles one way, so it's very expensive. Then your electricity, your heat…everything has just gone up tremendously.”

— Sandra Garner

“My husband has a diesel truck, and diesel is now $5 a gallon, so it does hurt.”

— Judy Montague

What’s next

While President Trump has suggested the U.S. is "winding down" military actions, Iran has threatened to completely close off the Strait of Hormuz, which could further exacerbate the oil price crisis if the war drags on.

The takeaway

The war in Iran is putting significant financial strain on generational farming families who rely on the Raleigh Farmer's Market to sell their products, threatening the viability of this important community hub and potentially leading to higher prices for consumers if vendors are forced to raise their rates to offset skyrocketing fuel costs.