With fertilizer prices going up faster than the price of fuel, some P.E.I. farmers are wondering how they are going to cope with the increased cost.

'We're here because we love the life, but we've also got to make a living.'— Norman Larter, dairy farmer

Norman Larter, a dairy farmer in Winsloe, north of Charlottetown, grows much of his own feed. He's been told by his fertilizer supplier that prices are expected to double next year.

Larter told CBC News Friday this year's fertilizer bill was $14,000; next year it could be close to $30,000. "I can't afford that," he said.

"I have to go organic or I have to do something else. I have to change what I'm doing because I will not be able to consume the increases and still have a viable operation. I can't."

Two fertilizer companies told CBC News the price of some ingredients used to make fertilizer, including potash and nitrogen, are increasing.

"We buy in international fertilizer markets and fertilizer markets all over the world have gone up, driven by strong demand for fertilizers," said Andrew Robinson, general manager for P.E.I. Agromart.

Demand for fertilizer is up in India and Japan, and also in North America for corn to make ethanol.

Larter is worried about what will happen if prices for fuel, feed and fertilizer continue to rise.

"If things don't change, there's going to be nobody left farming," he said.

"We're here because we love the life, but we've also got to make a living."

Robinson said fertilizer prices are cyclical and could come down again at some point.