According to to the latest data posted by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), fish and chips, a classic British bargain dish known for its cost-effectiveness, has skyrocketed in price over the last five years.
As per July’s data, the price of fish and chips has risen by approximately 52%, reaching nearly £10 ($13) per serving, up from an average of £6.50 in July 2019. ONS reports that this traditional dish has experienced the most significant price increase during the specified period when compared to pizza, kebabs, and Indian and Chinese cuisine.
Industry representatives indicated that the surge in prices can be attributed to a combination of rising energy and labor expenses and unfavorable weather conditions leading to subpar potato harvests. He also noted a significant decline of fish imports from Russia – up until 2022 approximately one-third of the white fish consumed in Britain was sourced from Russia.
Furthermore, severe weather events experienced over the past year have threatened potato yields, consequently impacting the price of fish and chips. As reported by the most recent Agricultural Price Index (API) from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, potato prices have seen the most significant rise among agricultural products in the UK, escalating by 4.1% in the twelve months leading up to May 2024.
Food sector insiders caution that the traditional dish of fish and chips is increasingly becoming unaffordable, potentially jeopardizing its status as a quintessential British meal: “We are experiencing a perfect storm of cost pressures. This meal is no longer inexpensive.”
The present economic environment represents the most challenging circumstances the industry has encountered in the last thirty years, according to the industry representatives: “Consumers perceive fish and chips as an inexpensive meal, which is not the case. While individuals are willing to spend £15-20 on a pizza, they are reluctant to invest the same amount for a serving of fish and chips.”
