Fish and chip shops are increasing their prices after cod shortages

Fish and chip suppliers are panic-buying fish after a ‘national shortage’ of cod.

Andrew Cook, President of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), said chippies are seeing ‘major supply issues’ for cod in recent months after trade deals were suspended with two major Russian fishing companies.

Sanctions were put on the two largest Russian fishing companies, Norebo and Murman Seafood, earlier this year by European Union after they faced allegations of conducting espionage.

Andrew added that the total amount of cod that was allowed to be caught by fishermen in the Barents Sea, located between Russia and Norway, was one million tonnes in 2019, but it has now been reduced to just 340,000 tonnes for 2025, with further reductions expected next year.

He told Metro: ‘We have major supply issues for cod which has affected haddock prices too.

‘There is also some panic-buying of headed and gutted fish by European processors as they have banned trade with two big Russian companies, hopefully that will settle down as they too seek alternative sources.

‘There is also a chance that the fish has simply moved as cod will follow its food and the North American fisheries are seeing increased numbers, so there is hope there. 

‘As an industry, we have been cushioning consumers from increases as much as we can but we are also looking at alternatives such as Norwegian Saithe, pollock and farmed fish such as tilapia.

‘We are sure that by working with government and our customers we can get the industry through this issue in the best shape possible.’

Chippies have now told Metro their wholesalers have increased the cost of fish in recent months.

Mehmet Cafer from Jack the Chipper, in Greenwich, south east London, told Metro: ‘Fish price has been going up in the last three years. Unfortunately, right now, it is £20 per kilo so one single fish costs us £6.10. It’ll soon by going up to £25 per kilo.

‘Last month, we had to increase our prices by £1 and, unfortunately, lots of customers complained.

‘We haven’t looked at other fish as cod and haddock is the traditional fish used. Quality wise, we don’t want to use frozen fish.’

Ozgur Toksoylu from Oli’s Fish and Chips in Caledonian Road in north London, told Metro he was keen to try and keep costs down in the future. ‘We will try not to let our customers get affected by this and we will keep informing them,’ he said.

The SeaShell of Lisson Grove has been serving customers fresh fish and chips for generations and have found a way to alleviate the effects of the price increases.

Shai Davis, who is the managing director of SeaShell of Lisson Grove, in Westminster, said they try and mitigate costs for cod by introducing customers to more premium items on their menu.

‘We’ve had to increase our prices more from other things such as the increase in PAYE and Westminster waste collection,’ he said.

‘The customers have understood and we do create alternative items such as popcorn cod and fish goujons – we’re quite entrepreneurial in that sense.

‘We are also lucky to have a takeaway and a restaurant so we’ve actually been able to absorb a lot of the cost.’

Although the NFFF have encouraged customers to try alternatives to the highly popular and traditional fish, chip shops have noticed that people simply are not interested.

Shai said SeaShell tried alternatives on their menu, such as pollock, but it ends up being more of a waste as it does not sell.

‘In society they’ve grown up around cod so they don’t want other types of fish,’ he said.

John Fisher, aka social media star ‘Big John’, told Metro he was saddened by the prospect that there’s a cod shortage. ‘It’s a real shame but if a year without no cod means we will have cod for future generations, it needs to be done,’ he said.

‘We need to fish sustainably, I’m sure we will find replacements as we have done. Long live fish and chips a true British tradition. Bosh.’

Cod’s importance isn’t just for British diets though – the Marine Conservation Society said its existence is crucial to the marine ecosystem.

Brooke Schlipf, Good Fish Guide ratings officer at the organisation, said: ‘Its decline could have knock-on effects throughout the food chain, threatening marine life that depend on it as a food source.

‘The current shortage of cod stocks in UK seas is a clear warning: We urgently need to improve management to protect these stocks.

‘One simple way people can help is by swapping cod for a more sustainable whitefish option, such as hake.

‘These choices support healthier seas, so marine life can flourish and future generations can continue to enjoy these classics.’

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