As the conflict in the Middle East passes it’s 50th day, people across South Yorkshire are feeling the impact of the conflict as fuel, food prices, and travel all rise.

But across other smaller heritage industries, the knock-on effect has not been as exaggerated as many might think.

Fuel Prices

Sheffield’s fuel prices have rocketed in recent weeks making life more difficult for commuters, as many look to public transport for cheaper options.

Martha Green, 21, a young professional based in Sheffield, told the Sheffield Wire: “I’m going to an event in Birmingham and I was going to drive but I’m now getting the train because its cheaper.”

This is still the case despite rail companies coming under fire for the high prices of rail tickets across the UK, with ticket fares jumping by 5.1% between 2024 and 2025.

The cost of unleaded petrol prices at Sheffield’s petrol stations has now reached an average of 156.9p per litre.

In comparison, prices in Leeds, now sit at an average of 154.3p per litre.

According to Petrolprices.com, Sheffield’s cheapest station is now Costco, offering unleaded petrol at 151.9p per litre, but this is only available to Costco members.

For those who don’t have a membership, can find the next cheapest options at Tesco on Abbeydale Road, Sainsbury’s on Archer Road, and Tesco on Saville Street.

In Barnsley, the cheapest option is the CO-OP on Carlton Road, in Doncaster it is ASDA Rossington on Grange Lane, while in Rotherham drivers can head to the Jet Service Station of Bawtry Road to find the most affordable unleaded petrol in the city.

Farming

Farmers in Sheffield are also facing increased costs as a result of a jump in fuel prices.

Red diesel, which is a type of fuel used in off-road vehicles such as tractors and harvesters increased by nearly 100% earlier this month.

This time last year the price stood at 63.5p per litre, with the most dramatic hike first being reported on 11 March 2026 – the first prices reported after the war broke out.

The most recent prices of red diesel reported by Farmers Weekly sit at 109.9p per litre

Two weeks ago, the prices reached a high point of 123.7p per litre, nearly double that of the price last year.

While the cost has dropped in the most recent figures, there are fears that the price hikes may continue due to the ongoing instability.

Farmer, Andrew Clark, of Hangram Farm, Sheffield, told the Sheffield Wire: “It’s crazy, fuel affects everything.”

He said that while food prices are going up it is not as a result of the ongoing fuel crisis, rather that food itself is in short supply.

As the prices are set by the market, Mr Clark said farmers are not able to pass on any of the increased price of fuel to the consumer, further effecting farmers.

The price of fertiliser has also jumped, having a knock on effect on the whole industry.

Mr Clark said he purchased his fertiliser at £399 per tonne prior to the crisis, while it currently trades at over £500 per tonne.

He described the possibility that the impact of this fuel crisis may continue for some time, as food that is made under the during economic difficulties possibly resulting in higher prices for consumers as the higher expenses ripple through the market.

This is because the resources used for next year will be purchased under the current hardship meaning the impact could continue onto next year’s produce.

Industry

However, in Sheffield’s heritage cutlery industry, there is better news, as they haven’t been as negatively impacted.

A spokesperson David Mellor, a Sheffield-base manufacturer of steel cutlery, said: “Rather surprisingly, it hasn’t had as big an impact as many people assume.

“Most of our costs are actually tied up in the labour and craftsmanship involved in creating our designs rather than in the materials or power.”

They explained that while there has been some impact, it has not yet reached the scale of the challenges they faced after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Other small-scale steel tool manufacturers had a similar response.

Grace Horne, a cutler based in a workshop made from a converted public toilet in Nethergreen, commented: “It really hasn’t impacted me.

“I use custom made patterned steel in small quantities, and although it is expensive, the cost is in the time to make it not the raw materials.”

Food Prices

The Food and Drink Federation have now revised their forecast for food and drink price inflation rising from 3.2% to 9-10%.

When asked about recent changes in spending amid price rises one Sheffield resident said: “Not even just for me but for my parents as well – I think we are paying a lot more attention in terms of budgeting, and being more effective with our money, even with the smallest things.”

A visitor from Edinburgh, who was in Sheffield to watch the World Snooker Championships, said: “You used to go to the shop to pick up a few bits and pieces and spend £5 to £10, now it’s £20.”