A perfect storm of fish scarcity, rising oil prices and failed potato crops could mean trips to the chippy become increasingly prohibitive
Potato growers have warned that the price of chips is set to soar after crop yields were hit by the record-breaking temperatures.
The British Potato Trade Association (BPTA) said recent record temperatures come after a “prolonged drought” which had “seriously affected” the quality of crops.
A spokesperson for the trade body said: “Southern and eastern areas of Britain are currently experiencing the worst growing conditions.
“The further north you go, the less the impact, but it is pretty much the whole of England that is suffering at the minute. Now is a crucial time for potato growers. If it stays dry much longer, we are looking at seriously reduced yields.”
In just a year, prices for Britain’s favourite fish – cod and haddock – are up 75 per cent, while sunflower oil is up 60 per cent, and flour is up 40 per cent, Company Debt has said.
Some of the recent difficulties for fish and chip shops began after Brexit, with the amount of Arctic cod Britain is allowed to catch in 2022 reduced to around 40 per cent of what it was before leaving the European Union.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also driven up fuel and electricity prices, further increasing the cost of catching, and frying, fish.
The war has sent cooking oil, fertiliser and flour prices higher too.
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said between 20 and 40 fish and chip shops were closing across Britain every month.
And he said the price of fish and chips would increase as a result of reduced yields.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, he said: “With fish at the price it is, combined with VAT at 20 combined, our sector cannot afford any further price increases caused by potato shortages, so the cost of fish and chips will have to further increase.
“We are not profiteering here. We are just trying to survive.”
Mr Crook said a regular portion of fish and chips at his shop near Chorley, Lancashire, now cost £8.50, compared to £7.25 last year.
He added: “We try to absorb increases as much as we can. We should have put up prices even more. If the price people paid for their takeaway did not increase, we are not going to have any fish and chip shops left”.
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