High diesel prices could impact consumers of LI businesses that rely on trucking

Restaurant owner Joe Fortuna says he is seeing some distributors add on fuel surcharges.

News 12 Staff

May 5, 2022, 10:09 PM

Updated 882 days ago

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With diesel prices hitting new highs, businesses on Long Island that rely on trucking could be forced to raise prices.
Truckers and companies that use diesel say they are feeling the pain at the pump.
"Yeah, it's up like 20-30%," says Lee Seelig, of Main Street Wholesale Meats. "There is nothing you can do about it."
AAA says diesel is averaging around $6.32 a gallon on Long Island. In 2021, it was only $3.20 a gallon
Fuel expert Patrick de Haan of Gas Buddy says diesel supply is at a 30-year low on the East Coast.
He blames reduced refining capacity in the United States, the war in Ukraine and higher demand for diesel in Europe and South America.
"And that's why we're seeing prices explode in the Northeast, and the worst part is it might not get meaningfully better for quite some time," de Haan says.
Restaurant owner Joe Fortuna says he is seeing some distributors add on fuel surcharges.
"It's a constant struggle. So, not only do we have to deal with the increase in the product, cost and food cost, now we have the extra surcharges," Fortuna says.
Main Street Meats says it's trying not to pass on extra fuel charges to its customers but that it is trying to be more efficient with orders and making fewer small deliveries.
"Try to get customers to consolidate orders if they can. Instead of ordering four days a week, try two," Seelig says. "Also, we can do some things with routing to maximize fuel as much as possible."
The meat distributor says it's also asking its drivers to quit idling the trucks.
New York is reducing its taxes on gasoline and diesel starting next month.