Fish and chips across the UK face a mushy pea shortage as owners warn of widespread closures if support is not given to business owners.
Industry representatives warn that hot weather conditions are forecast to disrupt crop harvests, driving costs upward for this chippy staple.
Andrew Crook, the president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, described the situation as relentless pressure on the industry.
He explained: “It’s just one more thing on top of the rest. Everywhere we look there’s a challenge.”
Fish and chip shops face mushy pea shortage amid widespread closure fears
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GETTY
Mr Crook highlighted the sector’s dependence on both peas and potatoes, noting that weather significantly affects these crops.
The financial strain on the industry has been laid bare by recent figures from Seafish, the industry body, which found that a portion of cod and chips now averages £11.41 nationally.
Haddock and chips comes in slightly cheaper at £10.29. Mr Crook expressed concern about the mounting difficulties facing shop owners.
He added: “We’re expecting an expensive year. Everything’s stacked against us. With peas, it’s another blow. Peas are important for fish and chips. It’s one of your five a day, which makes it a nutritionally balanced meal.”
Fish and chips are a staple British dish | GETTY
The Chancellor has faced criticism for over-taxing the private sector and making life harder for businesses | RACHEL REEVES / LINKEDIN
Earlier this year, reports emerged that thousands of fish and chip shops were teetering on the edge of closure due to soaring costs for energy, cooking oil and fish.
While Mr Crook suggested that chippy owners might manage to absorb increased pea prices, he emphasised the need for Government intervention on broader issues affecting the trade, particularly business rates.
He shared: “Everybody’s costs have gone up. Everybody’s feeling the pain.”
Earlier this year, the National Federation of Fish Frier published a survey of chip shop owners which found that a fifth of establishments in the UK could close within the year.
The high street has been hit with store closures in recent months. | PA
Some 45 per cent of chip shop owners shared they were “extremely worried” about the future, based on the trade association’s survey of 105 business owners.
Notably, findings presented to the Department for Business and Trade found that 18 per cent planned to leave the industry within the next year.
Concerningly, 90 per cent of those surveyed were “not confident at all” in the Labour Government’s handling of issues impacting small businesses.
One respondent went as far as to accuse Chancellor Rachel Reeve of having “killed the industry”.
understanding of small businesses, with one respondent declaring the Government has “killed the Industry”.