PUNTERS are now forking out over £11 for a portion of fish and chips as soaring costs come for the British tea-time staple.
A portion of haddock and chips now costs an average of £10.29 across the UK, while cod and chips has reached £11.41, according to industry body Seafish.
Sign up for the Money newsletter
Thank you!
Just seven years ago, customers paid around £6.48 for the beloved fried dish, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
But rising costs for fish, potatoes, oil and energy are putting pressure on shop owners, many of whom are either diversifying their menus with items like kebabs, pizzas or masala fish or cutting options to increase efficiency, the group said.
Just last month, some chippies warned that cod could disappear from menus if costs keep rising.
Joseph’s Fish and Chips, an independent takeaway in Bermondsey, said cod prices had risen by 300% in 16 months.
COOL DOWN
All the cooling gadgets landing in Aldi in DAYS
WELFARE CRISIS
New data claims 500k Brits joined benefits bill with every new PM since 2019
The haunt is now only serving the fish on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays due to an ongoing shortage which has driven up prices.
It comes as the cost of haddock and cod has risen in recent years following both the Ukraine war and conflict in Iran.
Energy costs have also rocketed since the war between US and Iran broke out.
Meanwhile, a reduction of the Barents Sea quota is also impacting the amount of fish being brought into the UK.
This quota is a legally set limit on the total amount of cod that can be caught each year in the Barents Sea, jointly determined by Norway and Russia.
Commenting on the report, Andrew Crook, National Federation of Fish Friers president, said: “The findings also highlight the resilience and adaptability of fish and chip businesses.
“While the sector faces challenges, businesses continue to evolve in response to changing consumer preferences and operating conditions while maintaining a food tradition that remains an important part of British culture.”
