The AgInflation Index is generated using data from purchasing co-operative AF, based at Honingham Thorpe, outside Norwich, which sources more than £300m of agricultural goods every year on behalf of its 3,000 members across the country.

The latest annual figures, for the year ending September 30, reveal an overall average cost increase of 0.77pc compared to the previous 12 months.

Six of the nine categories showed rising costs, with fertiliser up by almost 11pc, contract and hire up by more than 6pc and machinery, fuel and electricity all up by almost 3pc. There were lower rises for rent, interest, property and office - up 0.7pc - while labour costs were up by 0.2pc.

But it was a mixed picture, as prices fell in the remaining three categories, with chemicals, animal feed and medicines, and seed decreasing by 11.2pc, 7.4pc and 1.2pc respectively.

Helen Whittle, chief executive of agricultural purchasing group AF, with chief agricultural officer John Barrett (Image: Chris Hill)

AF chief executive Helen Whittle said: “While there have been good news stories this year, such as rising price of cattle and sheep, and increased value of oilseed rape, this year’s AF AgInflation data shows agricultural input costs continue to creep upwards.

“It’s vital that buying groups such as AF and our members work........

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