New data has revealed the alarming price rise of some of the UK’s favourite takeaway options over the past five years, with British classic fish and chips soaring by 50%.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the dramatic cost increase in some of the nation’s most popular takeaways.
The ONS said that the estimated average price for a takeaway portion of fish and chips was £9.88 in July this year – a hike of 52% compared with £6.48 in July 2019.
It means the cost of a fish supper has risen higher in percentage terms than other go-to options for Brits, including a takeaway pizza, along with an Indian or Chinese main course.
The cost of the humble kebab – many people’s option to soak up a heavy drinking session – increased by 44% from £5.24 to £7.57.
Fans of fried chicken and chips will now have to fork out an average of 42% more for a meal, as prices over the last five years have skyrocketed from £4.73 to £6.70.
Meanwhile, the average cost of a pizza has jumped to over £10, now setting customers back £10.08 compared to £8.06 in 2019.
Elsewhere, main courses from both Indian and Chinese restaurants rose by 29%.
While the cost-of-living crisis has seen food prices increase across the UK, British chippies have been hit particularly hard by extreme weather conditions affecting the quality of potato harvests.
Most supermarkets have already shrunk potato pack sizes from 2.5kg to 2kg without any decrease in price.
The net effect is a hidden cost hike to shoppers of around 25 per cent per kilo.
Last year, several retailers restricted purchases of fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, after extreme weather hit producers in Europe.
Stores will look to avoid a repeat for UK vegetables by importing more, which will in turn push up prices.
In addition to being the priciest takeaway item over a five-year period, the cost of fish and chips has also been enormous in the short-term.
Figures tracking the cost of the meal from from March 2022 to March 2023 showed that it had soared by 19 per cent.
Data over the same period revealed a 13 per cent average increase in the price of fast food and takeaway services.