Video: Sunflower Oil Crisis Begins in Turkey as Supplies from Ukraine and Russia Cease

In Turkey’s grocery stores, shoppers are scrambling to buy sunflower oil, which has nearly doubled in price within a day, as supplies dwindle. According to Turkish media reports, the Turkish Sunflower Oil Producers Association has announced that the existing stocks of sunflower oil will last until the end of March, at most until mid-April.

The shortage of sunflower oil supplies in Turkey began due to the Russian military operation in Ukraine. On February 24, Russia declared the closure of naval passage through the Sea of Azov. Currently, 16 Turkish ships are waiting for clearance at Azov ports.

Meanwhile, if just yesterday sunflower oil was priced at 100 lira in Turkish stores, today, within just one day, it has increased to 190 lira, causing dissatisfaction among Turkish consumers. Videos and photos are circulating online showing how shoppers are tugging at each other in stores as they attempt to buy sunflower oil.

According to Tahir Büyükhelvacıoğlu, president of the Turkish association, Turkey needs at least 3 million tons of sunflower oil, of which 1.3 million tons are imported from abroad. 15% of the imported sunflower oil was sourced from Ukraine, while 55% came from Russia.