Andhra Jyoti, Vijayawada:Cooking oil prices, which were stable last September, are gradually increasing as Sankranti approaches. The prices of sunflower oils are being increased in the name of import. Agencies are creating artificial shortages by raising claims that supply is low when demand is high. To cover this up, they are cleverly making the argument that the value of the dollar has increased against the rupee. Sunflower oils are import dependent. Sunflower oil is imported from Malaysia, Russia and Uzbekistan. We did not pay any money in dollars in this order. There is no possibility of price increase in the background of paying in rupees. But, the agencies are making these claims wisely. Dealers do not say these words. Many traders say that the supply agencies to the wholesale and retail market are deliberately promoting this in the background of festivals.
The increase is as follows:
All the middle class and upper middle class use mostly Freedom, Fortune, Gold Drop oil packets in sunflower oils. While the MRP on these oil packets was Rs.185 in September, the same is continuing even now. Freedom Oil was sold at Rs.140 and Gold Drop at Rs.135 in September on this MRP. Even now, while MRP is Rs.185, freedom oil is being sold at wholesalers for Rs.153. Almost the same price is displayed in supermarkets. Semi-wholesale traders are selling at Rs.155. In retail, the same Freedom and Fortune oils are available at Rs.160. They are selling more at mandal and rural level. Overall, there is an increase of Rs.10 to Rs.15 on liter packets of sunflower oil. It seems that the agencies are deliberately increasing the prices. The reasons for this increase in prices are.. Import of low quantity reserves, impact of dollar.
Palm oil packets are going to get smaller..!
Palm oil packets which are mostly used by the poor are going to get smaller. As per the standards on a liter packet of cooking oil the net quantity should be 910 grams. This should be clearly printed on the packet. But, currently packets with net size of 750, 790, 850 grams are coming. Digital printing is done in such a way that the eye cannot see it. It is said that the dealers are doing this to be able to bring the Palmolin packet which is available for Rs.100 in the market. There are also incidents of charging per liter prices in case of retail sale. While the MRP of palm oil packets is Rs.125, it is being sold between Rs.113-Rs.118. A 790 ml packet is being sold at Rs 108 while MRP is Rs 115. A 750 ml packet has an MRC of Rs.108 and is selling at Rs.103. What is changing the buyers.
