The famous English fish and chips, collateral victims of the war in Ukraine


Soaring prices, shortage of ingredients from Russia… Fish and chip brands are suffering from the war in Ukraine. A third of them could close in the UK.

It is one of the (rare) world-famous British dishes. A true culinary emblem of the United Kingdom, fish and chips are suffering from the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Representatives of the sector say they fear the closure in the next 9 months of a third of the 10,000 restaurants in the country. National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) President Andrew Crook talks to CNN “the worst crisis he has ever seen”.

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The sector is particularly dependent on products whose prices have soared against a background of inflation in recent months. Sunflower oil prices have soared 83% since March. Also used for frying, palm oil has seen its price double. Added to this surge in prices are fish supply problems. 40% of the haddock and cod used by the restaurateurs are caught in Russian waters, while half of their sunflower oil comes from Ukraine according to the NFFF.

These increases are reflected in the final price of the dish. Fish and Chips lovers now have to pay 8.5 pounds compared to 7 pounds previously (an increase of 21%) to afford a portion of this popular and inexpensive dish. In addition to having margins eroded by inflation, the sector is already worried about a drop in attendance due to the increase in its prices.


SEE ALSO – “In 30 years, there has never been a shortage of fish”: English fish & chips suffer from Russian sanctions and rising energy prices



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