Half of the country’s establishments serving the traditional fish and chips dish are operating at a loss due to a 35 percent import duty on fish from Russia.
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“About 5,000 eateries could be at risk of closing as outlets are forced to switch to cheaper products and raise prices,” experts say.
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According to Andrew Crook, owner of a fish-and-chips restaurant in Lancashire, the price of cod supplies has almost doubled – from eight pounds to 14 pounds per kilogram.
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Earlier, the owners of British cafes and fish-and-chips restaurants announced that they intended to seek help in the supply of fish to Norway in order to normalize the price level due to anti-Russian sanctions.
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It is worth clarifying that a government spokesman reacted: “We are working closely with industry to mitigate the impact that these sanctions may have.”
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On July 20, acting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on sellers of the traditional fish and chips dish to abandon fish caught in Russia.