Energy prices are an important cost factor in agricultural production, with two key elements being fertiliser and transportation costs. If oil prices had not increased so substantially in the period before 2008, it is likely that the prices of agricultural products would not have risen so significantly. The impact of potentially higher oil prices on selected commodity prices is discussed in the risks section of the Overview chapter. Agriculture is becoming increasingly industrialised in many parts of the world, relying more heavily on petroleum-based products for fuels and fertilisers.