What effect did the Ukraine-Russia war have on the shortage of edible oil in the UK?
What is the reason for quotas in the distribution of edible oils in the UK?
What steps has the UK Government taken to address the crisis of edible oil shortages?
Shy have food prices in the UK increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
The UK has been facing shortages and rising fuel and energy prices in recent months. Contrary to Johnson’s claims, critics believe that these shortcomings are not simply related to the Ukraine war, but also to the government’s misguided policies. Recently, stores across the UK have restricted the sale of cooking oil to citizens.
Oil Quotas for British Citizens
Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, the world’s second-largest retailer after Walmart, has said that it will now distribute cooking oil in quotas. There are stickers on store shelves that set a two- or three-digit quota for citizens. Some pictures show rising oil prices.
The Cause of the Crisis in the Supply of Edible Oil in the UK
The war in Ukraine is the cause of the crisis in the supply chain of edible oil in the UK because most of the oil needed is supplied by Ukraine. The crisis in oil supply also pushed its price up to £1,800 per tonne in March. The Ukraine war has also prevented the export of 10 million tonnes of oilseeds. Russia and Ukraine are the largest producers of oilseeds in the world. According to economic experts in the UK, the war in Ukraine has been the biggest economic shock in the last half century.
Dependence of Western Countries on Imports from Russia
In the Ukraine war, in addition to sending arms, European countries have imposed extensive economic sanctions on Russia, which, although to Russia’s detriment, have severely impeded Western dependence on Russian resources too. British politicians believe that the wrong policies of the government are causing a crisis for the people and that the prime minister should not blame the Ukraine war. The rising cost of living in the UK has provoked protests from citizens. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pursuing his own tense policies, regardless of internal problems and rising costs.
Restrictions on the Purchase of Edible Oils in the UK
Supermarkets across the UK have restricted the purchase of edible oil by consumers due to supply chain problems caused by the Ukraine war. According to media reports, Tesco stores allow customers to buy three bottles, and Waitrose and Morrisons supermarkets allow customers to buy only two bottles of oil.
Trying to Produce Alternative Edible Oils
Most of the sunflower oil consumed in Britain is imported from Ukraine. Restrictions have been imposed on this and olive oil. According to officials, various sectors are trying to increase the production of alternative edible oils to minimise the impact of these restrictions on people. According to recent data, the price of edible oil has increased by seven per cent; it has increased by a quarter YOY. Russian tanks and missiles besieging Ukraine threaten the food resources and livelihoods of Europeans, Asians and Africans who depend on the fertile fields of the Black Sea region.
Rising Food Prices in the UK
The latest research shows that the Ukraine war has led to soaring food prices, shortages of some food items and the implementation of rationing policies in British stores. Retail sales fell by 1.4% in March from February, worse than economists had forecast, according to research by the GFK Research Institute. According to this British institute, consumer confidence has reached its lowest level in the last 50 years.
Lack of Olive Oil and Vegetable Oil in Stores
Most British chain stores these days are short of food, especially edible oils, and have therefore started rationing. Disruptions of the food export chain from Ukraine has led to severe shortages in the UK and increased demand for alternative sources. The British Retail Consortium has claimed that the restrictions are a temporary measure “to ensure availability for everyone”. But in addition to sunflower oil, olive oil and vegetable oils are said to be in severe shortage in chain stores, supermarkets and retailers. Online shoppers face similar limitations. The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have told consumers that some products labelled as sunflower oil may actually contain alternatives, such as rapeseed oil.
Lack of Other Foodstuffs in Stores
According to research by Assosia, the price of a one-litre bottle of sunflower oil has increased by an average 12 pence (10%) since January 2022 to reach £1.26. Five-litre bottles also increased by 38 pence, a 6% increase in price. Of course, food shortages are not limited to edible oils.
According to media reports, the shelves are generally empty of many summer vegetables and grains. Store officials blame the war in Ukraine on food shortages. According to studies, however, the economy in the last month of the year fell by a significant distance from what was expected, and practically did not experience growth.
A Sharp Decline in the Value of the Pound
The pound fell below $1.30 for the first time since November 2020, falling more than a cent. James Smith, an economist at the Dutch bank ING, believes that a recession in the UK is a possibility. He predicted that the Bank of England would raise interest rates before the summer of this year amid rising inflation.
Inflation in the UK has risen from an average of 2% last year to 7% as a result of the country’s exit from the EU, the Covid-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices in recent weeks. Experts have warned that inflation will rise further as Ukraine’s war continues and commodity prices rise. The shortage of cooking oil, along with other pre-existing problems, has led to protests over the actions of Boris Johnson’s government.
