The price of fish and chips could be about to rise as a strike by Icelandic fishermen threatens the UK’s supply of fresh cod and haddock.
Consumers could face a price hike in the coming weeks as a dispute involving Icelandic trawlermen hits the UK fishing industry.
Grimsby fish market, Britain’s biggest importer of fresh Icelandic fish, is expected to be hit particularly hard by reduced stock levels.
The fish market has been forced to reduce one fifth of its workforce following the dispute - with staff cut from 32 to 26.
The price of whole cod is £2.80 to £3 per kilogram with haddock at £2.20 to £3.30 per kg and on Tuesday just 514 boxes of fish were offered for auction, which was described as the "least supply ever".
The Icelandic trawlermen are on strike demanding a larger share of the value of their catch.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the group that operates Grimsby fish market said: "It is a question of how long the strike goes on and the longer it goes on, the worse it gets.
"Iceland is one of the main suppliers of fish into the UK. It has hit our business particularly badly because we do rely on Icelandic fish.
"In due course there will be a knock-on effect as there will be less fish available and if the demand stays the same then generally the price will go up."
Two thirds of the fish sold at Grimsby fish market comes from Iceland and stock levels are around 50 per cent down.
"We have had to lay people off, which is unfortunate for them as it is not their fault," Mr Boyers said.
Mr Boyers said the Iceland government had to resolve the crisis with the trawlermen before prices rose in the UK.
