shortage of sunflower oil worries restaurateurs
A bowl of fries, patatas bravas or even tempuras… Preparing these little pleasures, offered by restaurateurs, requires frying them and therefore usingsunflower oil. However, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is affecting the production of this oil. Indeed, Russia and Ukraine represent no less than 78% of world exports of this vegetable liquid. A decrease in production which leads to a price increase, but also and above all a reduction in its quantity. Something to worry Toulouse restaurateurs.
Rising prices and oil shortage
The dependence on the production of these two countries puts, today, the restaurateurs in front of the difficulties of supply of this condiment. “Professionals are stocking up on this oil as long as they can and are starting to turn to alternatives,” says the vice-president of Medef Haute-Garonne.
This is what Aïda Rijely, restaurateur at the ByblosLebanese restaurant in Place Wilson: “I anticipated because I knew that the sunflower oil came from Ukraine and Russia. I have three months in advance and I recommend it as soon as my supplier can tell me in delivery.”
A strategy also adopted by the catering establishment At Victor’s :
We have managed to secure stocks of sunflower oil to ensure the production of our recipes which are quite rich in oil. We are therefore not afraid of a shortage for the time being, but we are still making sure to reduce our oil consumption”, explains the manager to The Independent Opinion.
The price of liter of sunflower oil is multiplied by two. Stocking up on this component is therefore a significant cost for restorers. “The liter of sunflower oil has gone from 2 euros to 4 euros. I try to buy it every day. It’s first come, first served”, met Bertrand, manager of the restaurant. The Floridaon Capitol Square.
Find alternatives or review your menu
To compensate for the lack of sunflower oil, restaurateurs are already thinking of several alternatives. The first would be to turn to equivalent components, such as rapeseed or peanut oil. “We can make mixtures of oils so that they are resistant to high temperatures”, explains Azap. However, this multiplication of components is likely to increase the prices offered to consumers. “I’m not going to have a choice,” says the boss.
Several professionals are even considering reworking their cards to reduce their dependence on oils. “We are going to modify some of our dishes so that the consequences on prices are not too significant for the customer”, confirms Aïda from Byblos. However, for other fast foods where fries and other fried foods are kings, it will be more difficult to review your menu. Prices for consumers could therefore increase.
The shortage of this condiment, directly linked to the war in ukraine, is likely to persist to the detriment of restaurateurs, but also of individuals. In supermarkets, the oil shelves are very often out of stock due to lack of supply.