SL should promote local soya oil as a substitute for coconut oil: Trade Minister

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said Sri Lanka should promote locally manufactured soya oil for cooking as a substitute for cooking oil instead of depending on imports.

He said further promotion of coconut oil production would result in the increase of prices of coconuts available for consumption.

“If we increase coconut oil production, we will have to use more and more nuts for it. Then, coconut prices will increase. Therefore, we should promote soya oil as a cooking oil variety. It can be manufactured successfully here,” he said.

Coconut oil is the most commonly used cooking oil variety in Sri Lanka. (Kelum Bandara)