Cooking Oils from Ukraine and Russia

Rapeseed

I really enjoyed meeting up with family this Easter and going for a sunny walk through fields of rapeseed. This got me thinking about the news and various business discussions I have had with food importers recently.

Firstly, there is the similarity between the flag of Ukraine and the blue sky and rapeseed crop in my photograph. The Ukrainian people are in our thoughts.

Secondly, many food producers and restaurant chains within the UK are having to deal with major cost increases for cooking oils. The Office for National Statistics has reported that the price of oils and fats for food has increased by 7.2% in March alone and is almost a quarter more expensive than a year ago. Ukraine and Russia are some of the biggest exporters of sunflower oil in the world. The conflict between the two countries is impacting the world market, with food retailers and suppliers reporting that supplies of sunflower oils are already running short.

Rapeseed Oil

The BBC has reported today that because of this, some food manufacturers have turned to alternative ingredients, including rapeseed oil, which is grown by British farmers. The increased demand has meant higher prices for these oils too. Rapeseed is either cold-pressed or refined and is often labelled vegetable oil.

So, will we be seeing more fields of yellow rapeseed across the British countryside? This could be great for honeybees, as rapeseed provides both nectar and pollen in early spring. 

Ian Simmonds



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