A portion of the British food icon, a simple cod and chips, now cost Brits around £11.41, but experts say that despite the rising costs, the industry continues to do well
Rising costs of key products are causing some of Britain’s best-loved cuisine to soar in price, but industry experts say it is still popular.
A simple cod and chips now costs an average of £11.41, with a portion of haddock and chips now £10.29, according to industry body Seafish. Shop owners are being forced to diversify their menus with items like kebabs, pizzas or masala fish, or cutting options to increase efficiency amid rising costs for fish, potatoes, oil and energy.
Around 7,210 fish and chip shops operate across the UK, according to industry body Seafish. Cod, haddock, scampi and fishcakes are the most common seafood products found on menus, with haddock dominating in Scotland and parts of Yorkshire and the Midlands and cod remaining the most common choice elsewhere in the UK.
Report author Jennifer Robson, from Seafish, said: “Our report confirms that fish and chips is very much alive and kicking in the UK – it remains one of the nation’s most iconic and recognisable meals, enjoyed by millions of people every year.
“We embarked on this research to better understand a sector that plays a very important role in local economies and communities across the UK and provides a vital route through which consumers can enjoy seafood.
“Fish and chip shops also play an important role in connecting the public with a wide range of seafood beyond the traditional cod and haddock – for example lesser-known species such as plaice, skate and pollock, that can offer excellent eating quality and greater choice.”
National Federation of Fish Friers president Andrew Crook said: “This is a very welcome report – its findings help us not only to benchmark the fish and chip sector, but also start to calculate its value to the economy. 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.”
Food prices increase
Food price rises did ease this month, per the latest inflation figure. Inflation unexpectedly flatlined last month as a slowdown in food price rises offset pressure from airfares, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation was recorded at 2.8 percent in May, the same rate as in April. It was lower than expected by economists, who had predicted an uptick in inflation to tree percent. It means the price of goods and services is still increasing, but at the same speed as in April.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “After last month’s slowdown, inflation held steady in May as various price movements offset each other. The main upward movement came from transport with airfares, vehicle taxes and petrol prices all pushing up inflation.
“These were offset by lower food prices, with decreases in inflation seen across a range of meat, dairy and vegetable items compared to last month, as well as the cost of domestic heating oil, which fell back after climbing in recent months.”
