UK fish and chip shops face mushy pea shortage as heatwave sparks crop chaos | UK | News
Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Fryers, said the potential for a pea shortage is the latest challenge facing the industry.
“Everywhere we look there is a challenge,” Mr. Crook said.
“We rely on peas and potatoes. Weather has a huge impact on those things.
“We’re expecting a bad year for both of them.”
The threat of shortage follows a report from industry body Seafish which said the average cost of cod and chips is now £11.41, while haddock and chips would set the buyer back £10.29, The Sun reported.
“We are expecting an expensive year,” Mr. Crook said.
“Everything is against us. This is another blow as far as peas are concerned.
“Peas are key to fish and chips. They’re one of five a day, making it a nutritionally balanced meal.”
Earlier this year The Sun reported that thousands of fish and chip shops were on the brink of closure due to rising costs of energy, cooking oil and fish.
Mr Crook said fish and boat shop owners could afford the rise in pea prices but warned they needed help from the Government on a range of issues, including business rates.
“Everybody’s costs have gone up,” he said.
“Everyone feels the pain.”
