Consumer Council released its January's specific price survey on cooking oil. In comparison with data from the previous survey conducted two months earlier, most surveyed products recorded different levels of increase or slight decrease in price, only 5 of the surveyed items recorded no change in price. In the current survey, 'Vecorn 100% Pure Corn Oil (3.5L)' recorded the most significant price rise while 'Lion & Globe Pure Olive Oil (500ml)' had a drastic price discrepancy. The Council conducted the latest survey on 31st January, surveying 23 samples of cooking oil from 22 local retail outlets. Over half of the surveyed items recorded increase in price, significant price increase was observed in 'Vecorn 100% Pure Corn Oil (3.5L)', which showed a price increase of 6% to over 45% in 4 retail outlets. Price of 'Mazola Corn Oil (3.5L)' had also increased by around 10% in 5 outlets while all 3 products of 'Lion & Globe' brand recorded a price increase of around 1% to 10%. For those which had decreased in price, the percentage ranged from 1% to 15%. In the current survey, a general price difference of 10% to 30 % was observed for the same product sold in different outlets. The highest difference recorded this time was found in 'Lion & Globe Pure Olive Oil (500ml)' in which the lowest and highest selling price differed for over 100%; 'Tripod Brand Top Quality Corn Oil (2L)', however, recorded only a price gap of less than 5%, 3 other items also had a price gap of less than 10%. Consumers are advised to check with the price survey prior to making consumption. The specific price survey on cooking oil is now available online on the Council's official website (www.consumer.gov.mo).
