Supermarket chains around Belgium limits sales of flour, oil, canned vegetable amid high demand

Several supermarket chains across Belgium are restricting the sales of the products such as flour, oil and canned vegetables because of the high demand.

The Colruyt is limiting the number of oil as well as flour products that each of the customers can purchase. On the other hand, Lidl is restricting the sale of sunflower oil and canned vegetables. Both the supermarket chains have highlighted that there are no shortage.

Moreover, a representative for the Colruyt mentioned, “The consumption in the last few days is not normal anymore. It is a preventive measure. To allow the shelves to be replenished and give all customers a chance to purchase.”

The restriction of the sale of oil does not apply to sunflower oil but also to the other types of oil that are used as alternatives, including olive oil or salad oil.

Along with this, Ukraine and Russia, which is known as “the granary of Europe”, are among the world’s largest producers of wheat as well as sunflower oil. Because of Russia’s full-scale military operation against Ukraine, the majority of the individuals fear the supply issues as well as the shortages, resulting in significant price rises.

Colruyt emphasised that there is enough for all people and has asked the people to stay peaceful and not repeat the situation again when the individuals started hoarding in 2020.

Furthermore, she mentioned, “We want everyone to stay reasonable now so that we can maintain normal consumption and our employees have enough time to restock the shelves in time. Oil and flour products still arrive in our shops every day.”

At Lidl, the sale of canned vegetables, including two cans of canned vegetables (identical), is allowed per head.

However, spokesmen asserted, “We have noticed that the demand is increasing and this way we want to inform everyone well: if we spread the demand enough, there will be enough volume.”