UK takeaways crisis: The rising cost of fish and chips, other fast foods, explained

The United Kingdom’s favourite fish and chips has become costlier. The average price of the British culinary staple, enjoyed by families and friends alike, has surged by more than 50 per cent.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) sheds light on the price rise of a portion of fish and chips in the past five years. Other popular takeaways like Indian or Chinese main courses and pizza also cost more now.

Let’s take a closer look.

Fish and chips prices soar

The average price of takeaway fish and chips spiked to £9.88 (Rs 1095) in July this year, as per ONS. This was a 52 per cent hike compared to £6.48 (Rs 718) in July 2019, reported BBC.

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While the ONS says these are estimates, it points out that the cost of a fish supper has increased in percentage terms than other go-to options for Britons like pizza and an Indian or Chinese main course.

Other takeaways

The ONS figures show restaurant and takeaway meals have increased prices of other meals, too.

The cost of a kebab rose by 44 per cent from £5.24 (Rs 581) in 2019 to £7.57 (Rs 839) in 2024.

For a pizza, Britons have to fork out £10.48 (Rs 1162) compared to £8.06 (Rs 894) in 2019, a 30 per cent jump in cost.

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Those craving fried chicken and chips have to shell out 42 per cent more for the dish. The prices have risen from £4.73 (Rs 524) to £6.70 (Rs 743) over the last five years.

Chinese and Indian takeaways are up 29 per cent each, with a main course priced at an average of £7.14 (Rs 792) and £9.71 (Rs 1077) respectively.

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Why fish and chips are more expensive

The UK’s cost of living crisis led to an uptick in food prices, with British fish-and-chip shops, or chippies, particularly bearing the brunt.

As per Daily Mail, the price of fish and chips has seen a 19 per cent jump from March 2022 to March 2023. Data also revealed a 13 per cent average increase in the price of fast food and takeaway services over the same period.

Chip shop owners blame rising energy costs, tariffs on seafood imports, and extreme weather conditions hurting potato harvests for the higher price of fish and chips.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, energy bills skyrocketed. In March of that year, the UK imposed a 35 per cent tariff on Russian seafood imports, which drove up the price of importing fish.

Speaking to BBC, Jon Long, of Long John’s Fish and Chips in Dorset, said, “I’ve never known an onslaught of pressures in terms of costs going up.”

Jon said the soaring energy and labour costs, tariffs on Russian seafood, and poor potato harvests have compelled fish and chip shops to increase prices. “It’s not a cheap meal anymore. I think it’s still good value but it has become more expensive.”

Extreme weather has made it harder for potato farmers to grow good produce.

The latest figures from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Agricultural Price Index (API) show that UK farmers are being paid about three times more than what they got in 2019 due to poor harvests, reported The Telegraph.  

Angela Cartwright, owner of Kingfisher Fish Bar in Salford, told BBC earlier that potato prices were “extortionate”.

“People think that fish and chips is a cheap meal and it just isn’t. People are prepared to pay £15-20 for a pizza but they’re not prepared to pay it for a portion of fish and chips,” she said.

The UK government’s ban on single-use plastic has also led to businesses spending extra costs as takeaways are not allowed in single-use polystyrene containers. Daniel Stevenson, a chip shop owner in Lancashire, said he has to fork out an extra £150 per week on bio trays.

“It’s great for the environment but businesses are expected to absorb the costs,” he told Lancashire Telegraph.

What else do the ONS figures say?

The ONS report has found that olive oil has seen the highest price rise, costing £8.83 (Rs 979) in July 2024 for 500ml to one litre compared to £6.39 (Rs 708), as per The Telegraph report.

The prices of other food items have also seen a sharp increase. White sugar is up 70 per cent, frozen beef burgers cost 67 per cent more, baked beans have seen a 66 per cent jump, and large still bottles of water are priced 64 per cent higher.

Lemons are priced the same in July 2024 as they were in the same month in 2019.

The cost of only baking potatoes sold in shops is down 7.7 per cent.

With inputs from agencies