Papers

Outside, Ernest and Hollen were back at the port market again. 

"Are you sure? How about the tallow that we ordered from the slaughterhouses?" Hollen raised a concern.

"They'll still remain our main ingredient," Ernest replied. "I plan on blending olive oil and tallow together and once our supply of olive oil becomes consistent, we can gradually reduce our dependence on animal fat. There's no reason to abandon a cheap raw material if it still makes economic sense."

Hollen nodded slowly.

Tallow cost twenty-six riels per kilogram.

Olive oil cost sixty.

More than double.

Replacing everything immediately would be expensive.

"A blend would lower costs," Hollen said.

"Exactly," Ernest replied. "It also reduces risk. If tallow prices rise, we have olive oil. If olive oil shipments are delayed, we still have tallow. One supplier failing won't cripple production."

The forge owner looked impressed.