War battering chip shops

A British takeaway industry chief says a shortage of sunflower oil caused by thewar in Ukrainemeans an estimated one-third of the country’s 10,500 fish and chip shops could go out of business. National Federation of Fish Friers president Andrew Crook said it was an even bigger crisis than the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the price of a 20-litre drum of oil had gone from £30 (NZ$58) to £44 (NZ$85). ‘‘Fish and chips has always been a cheap meal for everyone, and we’re in danger of pricing ourselves out of the market.’’ Ukraine is the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil. Crook said supplies from Australia would help to ease the pressure. British supermarkets are already restricting the amount of sunflower oil that customers can buy.