The Russian attack on Ukraine has unforeseen consequences for the UK: one industry representative estimates that a third of the UK’s fish and chip shops are at risk of closing because of price hikes. The snack bars now want to import more fish from Norway.
A plastic fork is stuck in a portion of fish and chips in Manchester (May 18). Many of the ingredients for Britain’s favorite dish come from Russia.
(dpa) In view of sharply rising prices and a high degree of dependence on Russia as a fish supplier, British fish and chips traders want to import more fish from Norway. Andrew Crook, from the National Federation of Fresh Friers, told the PA news agency that he hoped Norwegian companies could produce fish fillets for British fish and chip companies in order to “keep the rising prices under control as much as possible”. On Wednesday he wants to take part in an industry meeting in Norway and promote his home market.
The popular British takeaways, which offer the national dish fish and chips, have so far been heavily dependent on Russia as a supplier. “We expect a 35 percent tariff on Russian whitefish, which will drive up the price of all fish. We can’t be so dependent on supplies from a single region,” Crook said.
The industry official estimates that a third of UK fish and chip shops are at risk of closing. Not only the supply chains of the required fish have come under pressure. The rising prices for flour and oil, which up to now have often been imported from Russia or the Ukraine, are also putting a strain on the companies. The industry association called on the British government to relieve the industry and reduce VAT, for example.