This post is part of a series chronicling news coverage of rising prices in the United States. See more here.
News Center Maine reports that many vendors at local farmers' markets “say they've had to increase prices” due to high fuel costs
Farmers market vendors are paying more for gas to travel to markets and increased fuel surcharges on equipment and produce
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From a May 26, 2026, video uploaded to the YouTube channel of WCSH-WLBZ NEWS CENTER Maine
BAILEY KORINEK (NEWS CENTER MAINE ANCHOR): We're seeing more industries be impacted by the rising cost of fuel. Many farmers' markets are entering the busy season, and vendors here in Maine say they're feeling the impacts of high fuel costs and other economic challenges. Vendors we spoke with at the South Portland Farmers' Markets say they travel to a variety of markets throughout the state, something that's being made harder by gas prices that are hovering at around $4.50 a gallon. The vendors say these increased costs are also being felt through fuel surcharges on produce and equipment. While some say they've been able to keep their businesses the same, many say they've had to increase prices.
PERSON 1: We did do a 50-cent increase on product. Really should have probably been more like $1 but you know I just feel bad for some of the consumers that want to eat healthy.
PERSON 2: I don't want to have to raise prices. I'm at the point now where it's getting really close to not making sense, keeping prices exactly where they are.
KORINEK: Some vendors we spoke with say other produce items coming from outside the United States are also being hit by tariffs, which is adding on to costs.