Border Trade in Cooking Oil Highlights Iran's Economic Challenges

At the land crossing between Turkey and Iran, merchants are selling cooking oil to Iranian buyers who transport it back across the border. The trade has grown recently as prices for basic goods in Iran have increased. Shopkeepers at the border reported that demand for items like olive, sunflower, and corn oils has spiked in recent days.

Dozens of people were observed carrying multiple four- and five-liter bottles of oil from Turkey into Iran during a single morning and afternoon. Iranian buyers stated they purchase the oil either for personal use or to resell inside Iran. Merchants noted that the ongoing war and economic crisis in Iran have contributed to this cross-border activity.

An Iranian woman, identified as Maryam, said she bought four bottles of cooking oil on Wednesday with her husband. They intend to sell the oil back home, as it offers better profit than the cigarettes they usually trade. Maryam explained that a five-liter bottle costs a little over $10 in Turkey and can be sold in Iran for less than local shop prices, yielding about $2 in profit.

Turkish oil vendors also spoke anonymously, expressing a desire to keep the trade discreet to avoid intervention by Turkish authorities.

The border area includes locations near the Caspian Sea, with proximity to cities such as Khoy and Van. A map indicates the crossing is about 200 miles from Tehran. Recent news of postponed peace talks between the United States and Iran was shared among merchants, highlighting the connection between geopolitical events and local commerce.

Shopkeepers described the trade as a recent development driven by Iran's economic struggles. Buyers confirmed that cooking oil has become a preferred item for cross-border resale due to its profitability.