Arizona Business Owners Struggle To Keep Up with Higher Fuel Costs

TUCSON — Diesel prices are now over $6.00 on average across the country, including in Pima County, and many businesses are struggling to make ends meet.

The war with Iran is driving diesel and gas prices higher and higher and experts say that trend will continue into next year. That scenario offers little relief for Arizona commercial truck drivers and food truck operators. Congressman Juan Ciscomani voted six times in support of the war.

According to KVOA:

“Rising diesel prices are forcing Pima County truck drivers and local businesses to change how they operate to survive higher costs.

According to AAA, diesel prices in Pima County now average about $6 a gallon. This is an increase of more than $2 a gallon from about $3.60 this time last year.

For truck drivers like Robert Poorman, who has been driving for several years, fuel price spikes are a familiar challenge. Poorman said the current prices are the highest he has seen, but companies can plan ahead and shop around for better fuel prices to manage the costs.

Small businesses are also adapting to the higher costs. Javier Castro, who owns the Cowpig food truck near Stone Avenue and 17th Street, said it now costs about $300 to fill his truck with diesel.

To cope with the costs, Castro has cut back on traveling to different locations and shifted his focus to breakfast. He has also lowered his prices to keep meals affordable for customers.

‘I refuse to raise prices, I think people are hurting enough here in town,’ Castro said. ‘That is why we decided to pivot we dropped our price point down, just to have people come out. Able to at least give them a good breakfast. A five dollar burrito in the morning, can't beat that.’

Castro still plans to take his truck out for large events and catering jobs, but is otherwise changing his daily operations to keep fuel costs from impacting his customers' tabs.”

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