Rising cooking oil prices squeeze Addis Ababa's urban poor

Rising prices of cooking oil are forcing families and small businesses in Addis Ababa to make tough choices. Households are cutting back on consumption, altering dietary habits, or even pausing operations that can no longer afford costs. Retailers and wholesalers face an unpredictable market with no immediate signs of supply stabilization.

Soaring prices of cooking oil are putting pressure on families and small businesses across Addis Ababa. Households are reducing intake, shifting away from traditional diets, or halting ventures unable to bear the expenses. For retailers and wholesalers, the market's volatility persists, with supply unlikely to steady anytime soon, according to reports.

Last week around 8:00pm, Saba Aschalew was seen by her frying pan near the Gotera junction, highlighting the daily struggles amid these price hikes. This anecdote underscores how urban residents and entrepreneurs in the capital are grappling with the crisis. The unpredictable nature of cooking oil supply in Ethiopia exacerbates market competition and price fluctuations, bearing significant impact on city dwellers.

While the exact causes of the surge remain unclear from available details, the effects ripple through everyday life, forcing adaptations in consumption and business practices.

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