19/10/2026
10 MORE SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FISH & CHIPS | PART 2
Think the price of fish is the only thing putting pressure on Britain’s fish and chip shops? Think again.
Last time, we looked at the soaring cost of cod. This time, we’re digging deeper into the figures shaping the future of one of Britain’s best-loved traditional meals.
1/ NORTH SEA COD QUOTA HAS TAKEN ANOTHER HUGE HIT.
The UK’s allocated North Sea cod quota fell from 9,419 tonnes in 2025 to 5,282 tonnes in 2026. That’s a reduction of approximately 44% in one year. Less quota means fewer opportunities to catch this fish from that stock.
2/ HADDOCK ISN’T THE CHEAP ESCAPE ROUTE PEOPLE MIGHT EXPECT.
According to Seafish, UK seafood trade data showed haddock prices rising by nearly 50% between 2024 and 2025. Switching from cod doesn’t automatically mean escaping the price squeeze.
3/ BRITAIN’S SEAFOOD IMPORT BILL HAS HIT A RECORD.
The value of UK seafood imports reached approximately £4.07 billion in 2025, an increase of 6.1% on the previous year. Our seafood supply chain is becoming more expensive, even as businesses look for ways to manage their costs.
4/ MORE MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON SEAFOOD, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN MORE FISH IS AVAILABLE.
UK seafood trade was worth £6.09 billion in 2025, up 4.5%. However, export volumes fell by 2%. Rising prices, international demand and changes in supply all influence what happens in the market.
5/ THE UK DOESN’T CATCH ENOUGH COD TO MEET ITS NEEDS.
British fish and chip shops depend heavily on imported whitefish. That means our industry is exposed to fishing quotas, foreign markets, exchange rates, transport costs and decisions made thousands of miles away.
6/ EVEN THE OVERALL UK FISHING QUOTA IS SHRINKING.
Government figures show that the UK’s quota across three major international negotiations fell from approximately 747,000 tonnes in 2025 to 612,000 tonnes in 2026. That’s an 18% reduction across those negotiations, covering numerous species, not just cod.
7/ THE MINIMUM WAGE IS NOW £12.71 AN HOUR FOR WORKERS AGED 21 AND OVER.
From April 2026, that is the legal minimum hourly rate for eligible workers in this age group. For a small chippy employing several people, every hour of staffing matters. And wages are only one part of the cost of employing someone.
8/ THE FISH WE IMPORT IS CHANGING.
Wild-caught seafood still dominates UK imports, but the share of farmed seafood has grown from around 11% to 16% over five years, according to Seafish. The market is changing as businesses and suppliers adapt to the availability and cost of different species.
9/ NOT EVERY ALTERNATIVE FISH IS A GUARANTEED SOLUTION.
Fish such as po***ck, hake and other whitefish can provide alternatives to cod. But supply, price, quality and sustainability all matter. The Marine Conservation Society’s October 2026 guidance has downgraded some European hake fisheries and given UK-caught coley a red rating. Choosing an alternative requires more than simply finding a cheaper fish.
10/ THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT FISH PRICES WILL RETURN TO WHAT THEY USED TO BE.
Fishing quotas, stock conditions, global demand and trade costs can all change. Even when one pressure eases, another may take its place. A responsible independent business has to plan for uncertainty rather than promise customers that prices will magically return to the good old days.
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THE REALITY AT THE PHAT FRYER
I run an independent fish and chip shop, not a multinational chain with buying power on a completely different scale.
I’ve watched my own annual cod bill rise from £27,040 to £62,400. That’s an additional £35,360 a year, or around £680 every week.
And cod is just one bill.
We still have wages, rent, electricity, cooking oil, potatoes, packaging, insurance, rates, maintenance and all the other costs that come with keeping a business open.
I want to serve great fish, generous portions and fair value. I want families to enjoy fish and chips without feeling they’re paying a fortune for a takeaway.
But small independent shops cannot absorb rising costs forever. We have to make enough to survive, pay our people properly and keep serving our communities.
So next time you see the price of fish and chips, remember there’s a whole industry behind that portion.
If you value your local independent chippy, please support it. Whether it’s The Phat Fryer or the shop down your road, every order helps keep a traditional British industry alive.
❤️ SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHIPPY. KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE.
Sources: Seafish UK Seafood Trade 2025 End of Year Report; UK Government 2026 fishing quota outcomes; GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates; Marine Conservation Society Good Fish Guide, October 2026.
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