The head of Germany's Farmers' Association, Joachim Rukwied, has urged the government to act urgently after sharp increases in diesel and fertiliser costs, warning that inaction could trigger a significant rise in food prices as early as next summer. Nitrogen fertiliser prices have climbed 30–40% globally since the start of the year, with German farmers facing roughly a 30% increase compared to last year — and Rukwied stressed that cutting fertiliser use is not an option, as it would directly reduce crop yields and quality. The farmers' lobby is calling for immediate measures including suspending the carbon tax on agricultural diesel and temporarily lowering energy taxes, but the ruling coalition — made up of the Christian Democratic Alliance and the Social Democrats — remains divided, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz cautioning that decisions are unlikely to come quickly.