Cooking oil manufacturers revealed that there is a critical shortage of raw materials. Oil Expressers Association of Zimbabwe (OEAZ) chairperson Busisa Moyo said that the situation was dire and needed urgent attention. Moyo said:
We are down to a one-to-two weeks supply for cooking oil, soap and one week for soy meal on average. The situation remains critical as eggs, chicken and pork availability will be negatively affected as these depend on soy meal as the base protein source. Day old chicks and other meat sources will also suffer.
A few ago the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries revealed that the majority of Zimbabwe’s businesses were left with less than a month’s supply of foreign-sourced raw materials and warned they could come to a complete standstill if the country’s foreign currency shortages were not addressed urgently.