Question 2
[17 Marks]
Read the case below and answer the questions that follow.
Russia-Ukraine war to make potato chips expensive
Business- News I 2022-03-16
by LazarusAmukeshe
COOKINGoil prices are up the roof, and the Russia-Ukraine war is expected to make matters worse,
especially for fried potato chips lovers - a Namibian youth delicacy. Students, construction workers
and young professionals are the frequent consumers of potato chips, which now - all thanks to the
Russian-Ukraine war - are set to become expensive and probably not fill enough bellies from next
week.
Workers at a popular fast food hotspot in central Windhoek yesterday told The Namibian that a price
hike is inevitable, and consumers should be ready for a 15% plus increase. Despite Russia/Ukraine
being thousands of miles away, the war has sent edible food prices soaring. Potato chips use a lot of
cooking oil.
Ukraine and Russia are key players in the supply of vegetable oil. The workers interviewed by The
Namibian said the price of the cooking oil has drastically risen this year compared to 'last year. They
indicated that 20 litres of cooking oil last year cost about N$475 compared to approximately N$700
this year.
In neighbouring South Africa, the situation is no different. "The impact of the increase in cooking oil
[price] within the food industry is expected to realise in the processing industry on frozen potato
produce, such as French fries and wedges, as well as crisps," said Potatoes South Africa, a non-
governmental organisation that protects the potato industry in that country. The hospitality and quick
service restaurants industries will not be left untouched, it said.
"We do foresee consumers feeling the pinch as the suppliers of chips will have to adjust their current
pricing based on an increase in one of their main inputs, which is cooking oil," said Potatoes South
Africa.
The Russian invasion into Ukraine sent the prices of several essential commodities soaring, including
oils such as sunflower oil. Although South Africa produces vegetable oil, it does not make enough to
meet local demand, and imports (about 20% above local production) are heavily dependent on the
Black Sea region.
The other major input cost for fried chips is either electricity or gas used for cooking - both of which
are rising sharply.
Source: https://www .nam ibia n.com .na/11085 7/read/Russia-Ukraine-war-to-make-potato-chips-expensive
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