Why Fish and Chips Is Getting More Expensive – And What It Means for Your Budget

Fish and chips has long been a cheap, reliable meal for working families across the UK – but that’s changing fast. Chip shop owners are now pulling cod off their menus entirely or limiting it to just a few days a week, because the price has almost doubled in just 12 months.

According to Turan Tunc, who runs Joseph’s Fish & Chips in Bermondsey, southeast London, Scottish cod cost £16.50 per kilo in April 2025. By April 2026, that same fish cost £28 per kilo – a jump of nearly 70%. For a typical box, that’s a rise from £180 to £336.

The main culprit? Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. International sanctions have disrupted global fish supplies, pushing prices up across the board. Even though Russian fish is banned, supplies are being diverted through other countries like China, but volumes remain tight and costs remain high.

What this means for your wallet

Many chip shops are responding by switching to cheaper fish like coley, ling or catfish – but here’s the catch: some aren’t telling customers. Mr Tunc warns that some venues are quietly selling cheaper fish while calling it cod. If you’re paying for cod, ask which fish you’re actually getting.

A small fish and chips with homemade tartare sauce at Joseph’s now costs £12.50 – far from the budget meal it once was. As prices rise, shop owners face an impossible choice: shrink portion sizes, raise prices further, or drop quality altogether.

Some chip shops are adding kebabs and other menu items to survive. Others are simply closing down.

What you can do

If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, chat with your local chippy owner about what fish they’re actually using. Many are happy to explain – and some, like Mr Tunc, are transparent on their websites about exactly what they buy and why.

Consider trying alternative fish like haddock or hake – they’re often tastier and more sustainable anyway. And if your favourite chippie is still charging old prices, they may not be around much longer.

For more on how food prices are affecting UK household budgets, keep an eye on inflation reports from the Office for National Statistics.