Catch of the Day: Fish Prices Surge as Supply Tightens, Leaving Chip Shop Owners in a Crunch

Fish and chip shop owners are deeply concerned about rapidly increasing costs, leading some, like Steve Webb of Buckles in Chippenham, to raise prices by 10%—from 9.30p to 11.20p—to keep up with soaring expenses for fresh produce. This alarming trend is driven in part by significant cuts in cod capture limits in critical fishing areas, such as the Barents Sea, where allowable catches have decreased from 1 million tonnes to just 340,000 tonnes over four years.

Andrew Crook from the National Federation of Fish Friers highlighted the competitive nature of the market, where accessing quality cod and haddock has become increasingly difficult as fishing limits are imposed in diverse waters including the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The global commodity nature of fish also adds pressure as demand surges from regions like the Mediterranean and South America.

For business owners, costs have reportedly jumped by an eye-watering 50% this year, with a significant portion of sales (20%) going to the government as VAT. Although customers have been understanding about the price increases, Mr. Webb fears a potential decline in sales, reflecting changing consumer behaviors as they reconsider their discretionary spending on takeaways.

Looking ahead, he and other shop owners are exploring creative solutions to manage costs, including cutting down on energy use and possibly incorporating bycatch into their menus. As Mr. Webb emphasized, while high-quality fish is worth celebrating, the community may need to enjoy it less frequently as they navigate this challenging economic landscape.