Independent retailers began stockpiling sunflower oil in the same week supermarkets imposed rations, following warnings of an availability crisis created by the Ukrainian war.

Most of the UK’s sunflower oil comes from Ukraine, which has led to restrictions in supply, alongside olive and rapeseed oils.

Last week, Tesco announced it was only allowing three items per customer, with Waitrose and Morrisons placing a limit of just two each. Iceland is the latest supermarket to ration purchases of 2l and 5l bottles.

Bal Singh, owner of a Nisa Local in Birmingham, told betterRetailing he started stockpiling oil when reports first emerged of availability issues.