We know what’s coming and we are prepared.
Jet fuel spot prices have increased by 140% since the Feb. 27, 2026, closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. This surge, driven by fears of a severe supply shortage for low-inventory refined products, has driven Asian prices to over $225 per barrel.
Key Impacts of the Jet Fuel Surge:
Massive Price Jump: The spot price for jet kerosene rose 140% from a Feb. 27 close of $93.45 a barrel.
European Impact: In Europe, jet fuel prices soared by more than 140%, reaching their highest levels since 2022.
Profit Margins: The profit margin for producing jet kerosene from Dubai crude jumped to over $100 a barrel.
Airline Response: Major airlines are hedging large percentages of their fuel needs into 2027 to manage the crisis.
Supply Chain Disruptions: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked a route that typically handles about 20% of the world's crude oil.
Even if the conflict is resolved, the disruption to supply chains is expected to cause long-term pain in energy markets.
America’s bees and beekeepers are losing a valuable ally just when they need its help most.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to soon close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a 6,500-acre agricultural research station in Maryland that is home to the nation’s premier bee research and disease diagnosis hub, the Beltsville Bee Research Lab.
The closure comes at a critical moment for bees. In winter 2025, many beekeepers lost over half their operations as pesticide-resistant varroa mites spread, bringing deadly viruses. The losses have led to low honey production, and soaring fuel costs have made shipping bees cross-country for agricultural pollination increasingly expensive, further stressing the industry.
