Inverurie’s Ola Oils is to cease production 14 years after becoming Scotland’s first cold pressed rapeseed oil maker.
The company, which is owned by husband and wife James and Chloe Ogg, blamed the decision on increased production costs.
In a Facebook post, the couple said cost pressures were set to rise even higher because of the war in Ukraine.
“Costs for growing seed, packaging, fuel, courier costs and all other aspects of the business have increased to such a level that the cost of production is unsustainable for us,” the post to customers said.
“We feel the time is right to stop production now before market pressures become overwhelming. We want to go out on a high and maintain our good business reputation.”
The company said its long-standing “no supermarkets” policy, which saw it sell only to small independent retailers, did not play a part in the decision to close down.
“We still believe this was the right decision and that it gave these smaller shops a great product to sell which couldn’t be found in supermarkets,” Ola Oils said of the policy.
Alternative to olive oil
Based at Westfield Farm in Inverurie, Ola Oils started producing cold pressed rapeseed oil as an alternative to olive oil in 2008.
James and Chloe run the business as directors after taking over from Chloe’s parents, John and Connie Sorrie.
The couple initially made plain oil but later added infused oils such as lemon, garlic, basil and chilli. All of the seed is grown on their own farm.
In the Facebook post, Ola Oils said it hopes customers can pick up their “final bottles of Ola” from stockists.
Speaking in November 2019, James said he rebranded Ola Oils the previous year to to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the company’s launch.
“Obviously, my mum and dad started everything. But organising and launching the rebrand felt as if we had more of a say in the direction Ola Oils was headed,” he explained.
James also said he launched a briquette made out of waste product from the production of the oils.
According to the company, Ola Logs produce twice the heat of wood and burn three times as long.
James said the logs were important to the business because they ensured zero wastage. Ola Oils also sold refillable bottles.
James added that that the company previously sold its oils to retailers across Scotland but that in the past few years distribution had receded.
In 2019, Ola Oils was primarily selling its products to retailers in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire including The Green Grocer in Inverurie, which was run by James’ brother-in-law John Sorrie.
The oils were also on sale in Haig’s, JK Fine Foods, Dobbies Garden Centre, Herd’s Butcher and Castleton Farm Shop.
