UK fish and chip shops are facing another possible crisis, as there could be a shortage of mushy peas this year. Fish and chip shops across the country have already revealed the major struggles they are facing in 2026, with soaring energy costs, business rates and labour costs threatening many of them with closure. Meanwhile, the price of fish such as cod has risen, with chippies trying to make up for it by using the likes of pollock instead.
Mushy peas could be the next thing to disappear from some fish and chip shops, as extreme weather is affecting harvests. That is according to National Federation of Fish Friers President Andrew Crook. He called it “just one more thing” added to the growing list of problems faced by Britain’s fish and chip shops. He described the “massive” impact the weather is expected to have on peas and potatoes, two essentials for fish and chip shops.
“Everywhere we look, there’s a challenge,” he revealed. “Peas and potatoes, we rely on them. The weather has a massive impact on those things.
“We are expecting a bad year on both.”
This, paired with other rising costs, will mean a difficult year for fish and chip shops, says Crook. Industry body Seafish found that the average cost of cod and chips was now £11.41, with haddock and chips at £10.29.
Crook revealed: “We’re expecting an expensive year. Everything’s stacked against us. With peas, it’s another blow.”
“Peas are important for fish and chips,” he added. “It’s one of your five a day, which makes it a nutritionally balanced meal.”
The Daily Express recently revealed that nearly a fifth of UK fish and chip shops could shut within a year as owners warn Labour has killed Britain’s traditional takeaway. Desperate pleas for a VAT cut to help the struggling industry are still being ignored as owners face dwindling margins amid soaring costs.
45% of chip shop owners were “extremely worried” about the future, according to a survey of 105 businesses by the NFFF. Meanwhile, 19% revealed they planned to leave the trade within the next 12 months.
