The conflict in Ukraine has led to a shortage of sunflower oil in the world. According to the portal Potatoes News, potato processing companies have to rapidly replace it with palm.
The situation is already being discussed at the government level. Belgian minister for the middle class, small and medium-sized businesses, self-employment, agriculture, social inclusion and urban policy, David Clarinval, cited this fact as an example, speaking of companies struggling with rising energy and raw material prices. “It may seem ridiculous, but the factories that produce French fries will have to make changes in production technology. And such changes can be problematic,” Clarinval stressed.
The industry federation Belgapom confirms the shortage of sunflower oil. “Acute crisis. At present, everything depends on the potato processors,” says Belgapom CEO Christophe Vermeulen.
Potato processors typically use sunflower oil in the production of French fries or chips. Seventy-five percent of the sunflower oil used comes from Ukraine and Russia, whose markets are now hard hit.
Therefore, potato processors are looking for alternatives. However, oil shortages are pushing up the prices of alternative products such as palm oil. Palm oil is also much less durable than sunflower oil.
Chips and French fries are also having to change product labels as they switch to palm oil. “We are also talking about vegetable fats, but there are differences anyway, just think about the amount of saturated fat,” notes Christophe Vermeulen.
Belgaprom is consulting with the government, including the Food Agency. “On the one hand, we want to keep our production up to date, on the other hand, we must also inform the consumer,” says Vermeulen.