Chippies turn to new species amid 'massive' cod price rise
Experts say cod has turned into "white gold" as the prices keeps going up.
By BBC News
Fish and chip shops are looking at alternatives such as hake, haddock and pollock as cod prices put more pressure on one of Britain’s best-known takeaway meals.
Fish and chip shops are looking at alternative species as the cost of cod continues to put pressure on menus and prices.
A BBC report says some chippies are turning to different white fish as cod becomes increasingly expensive for businesses to buy.
The pressure matters for customers because cod and chips remains one of Britain’s best-known takeaway meals, but it has become much more expensive in recent years.
For Cheshire households, the issue is part of a wider cost-of-living squeeze. A family fish and chip order can now feel more like a treat than a cheap midweek meal.
Chip shop owners are dealing with several pressures at once, including fish prices, cooking oil, energy bills, packaging, wages and business rates.
Cod has become one of the biggest challenges because it is the traditional choice for many customers, but global supply problems have pushed prices up.
Industry figures have warned that cod is now being treated almost like a premium product, making it harder for smaller shops to keep prices at levels customers expect.
Some operators are trying to introduce alternatives such as hake, pollock, haddock or other white fish.
These species can still work well in batter, but many customers remain attached to cod and may be reluctant to change.
That creates a difficult balance for chippies. If they raise prices too far, customers may visit less often. If they absorb the cost, margins can become unsustainable.
The issue is not only about fish. Energy costs have hit the sector hard because chip shops rely on fryers, refrigeration, lighting and ventilation for long hours.
Packaging and delivery costs have also increased, while some businesses are still recovering from years of disruption after the pandemic and high inflation.
For local takeaways in Cheshire towns and villages, the challenge is to protect quality while keeping meals affordable enough for regular customers.
Fish and chip shops often operate on tight margins, especially where they are independent family businesses rather than part of a larger chain.
The rising cost of cod could lead more shops to promote smaller portions, special offers, mixed fish menus or alternative species to keep prices manageable.
Customers may also see more menu boards explaining why prices have changed.
That kind of communication matters because many people still compare today’s fish and chip prices with what they remember paying only a few years ago.
Official price data has shown how sharply the meal has risen. Recent reports using Office for National Statistics figures said the average price of takeaway fish and chips reached £11.17 in March 2026, up from £6.48 in 2019.
The pressure on cod supplies has also been linked to reduced fishing quotas in the Barents Sea, one of the key areas for cod.
Reuters reported that Norway and Russia agreed a 2026 Northeast Arctic cod quota of 285,000 tonnes, the lowest level since 1991, in an effort to manage fish stocks sustainably.
For customers, the practical choice may be whether to stick with cod at a higher price or try another fish if their local chippy offers it.
For businesses, the coming months could be a test of how far tradition can stretch when costs keep rising.
Fish and chips is unlikely to disappear from British high streets, but the fish on the menu may become more varied as shops adapt to changing prices and supply.