Turks rush to buy sunflower oil as Ukraine war menaces food prices
Despite official assurances over supplies of basic items, a holdup of imports from Russia and Ukraine has already sparked panic buying of sunflower oil.
ISTANBUL — The war in Ukraine has sparked panic buying of sunflower oil in Turkey and police investigations into dozens of “provocative” tweets about rising prices.
In an early sign of the economic impact of the war for Turks, over the weekend shoppers scooped up supplies of the essential cooking ingredient.
Turkey imports large quantities of sunflower oil from Russia and Ukraine. A warning from the Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association that stocks could run out next month sparked a rush on supermarket shelves.
Tahir Buyukhelvacigil said ships carrying vegetable oil from Russia and Ukraine, which provide 55% and 15% of Turkey’s import needs, respectively, were being held up in the Sea of Azov and unable to pass into the Black Sea due to the conflict.
