U.S. diesel prices remained at record levels during the harvest season, raising operating costs for farmers and freight companies and increasing the risk of higher grocery prices. One Friday reading put the national average near $6.45 per gallon, while a separate report said prices were on the verge of topping $6 nationwide; GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan projected diesel could reach $6.60 per gallon as early as the weekend. The Energy Information Administration said U.S. distillate inventories were 14% below their five-year average in late August, leaving limited supply buffer before peak autumn demand from farmers and truckers. Refinery attacks in the Middle East and Russia, along with disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Iran conflict, have contributed to the fuel squeeze. Higher diesel and freight expenses are particularly consequential for produce, dairy and meat supply chains, while the Trump administration has temporarily expanded driving hours for fuel-hauling truckers.