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Fish and chips under pressure

Devaluation of the pound, expensive eco-packaging and problems with potatoes could result in the price of fish and chips rising this summer.

Six months ago a kilo of haddock or cod frozen at sea cost around £4 and £5.20 respectively, the Observer reported. Now it’s £5.60 and £5.80. The drop in value of the pound since the Brexit referendum means that over the past 12 months it has become “15% to 20% more expensive” to import frozen white fish.

There are also concerns that problems at the start of the potato planting season could lead to shortages and higher prices.

Chippies are facing other rising costs, too. In April, the national living wage increased from £7.50 to £7.83 for employees over 25. The price of cooking oil is also reportedly climbing.

Packaging is also proving to be a headache. There is pressure on the whole food sector to reduce single-use plastics. Polystyrene cartons currently cost about 2p each but the compostable alternatives are five times as much, according to Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers.