MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Norwegian catches for UK Fish and chips, and the price now averages £9

”It's the price of cooking oil. Then Brexit and the war in Ukraine because most of the fish comes from Russia. So now the fish is Norwegian.”

The soaring price of the UK staple fish and chips has become a national controversy from the moment a portion of the dish in Somerset can cost as much as £14, while the UK average is £9, according to the ONS, reports BBC. But, the 19% increase has nothing to do with profiteering, the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) says.

Factors including the cost of living crisis mean outlets are raising prices in order to survive, NFFF said.

Stuart Devine, area director for the NFFF, said fish and chip shops were facing “a perfect storm”.

In the year to March 2023 the price of takeaways rose by 13% in the UK and fish and chip meals saw the highest increase of 19%, representing a rise of about £1.44 to £9 on average for one portion, the Office for National Statistics said.

Mr Devine said food inflation, energy and fuel costs, as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, had driven up the cost of ingredients and the power to cook them.

“Cost are soaring. You either put your prices up or you risk going out of business,” Mr Devine said.

“There's no profiteering happening in fish and chip shops.

”I run six fish and chip shops, employing 150 people, and we are finding it very tough.
“Small, independent fish and chip shops may survive because their overhead costs are less, but it really is at a critical point.”

Steve Gibbs, who runs Howards Fish and Chip Shop in Taunton, said he feared rising prices would deter customers.

“It's the price of cooking oil. Then Brexit and the war in Ukraine because most of the fish comes from Russia. So now the fish is Norwegian.

”It's just so expensive. We have to pass [on the costs] to customers.“

But his wife and co-owner Sue said fish and chips were still good value and added: ”We try not to put our prices up if we can help it.”

In Somerset, two portions of fish and chips can cost £28