Icelandic Strike Drives Fresh Norwegian Cod Prices in UK up 40%; Threatening Supermarket Profits
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Guardian] by Zoe Wood February 13, 2017
Cod supplies from Iceland are down by 75% due to a strike caused by shrinking incomes linked to currency fluctuations and the Brexit vote. The price of a fish supper in the UK could rise in the coming weeks as a strike by Icelandic fishermen threatens the UK’s supply of fresh cod and haddock.
The dispute, which has been fuelled by currency swings following the Brexit vote, has now started to affect British fish industry jobs, with business owners warning consumers that price hikes could be on the horizon. The news threatens a further hit to consumers’ pockets as poor weather in Spain has caused a spike in lettuce, broccoli and eggplant prices.
“Since January we have had virtually no Icelandic fish, ” said Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the group that operates Grimsby fish market, the UK’s biggest importer of fresh Icelandic fish. “We are currently down 75% on Icelandic fish in weight terms over the last five weeks. It’s putting pressure on jobs in the supply chain and availability in shops. ”
The supply crisis has forced job cuts at the Grimsby market, with roughly one-fifth of staff let go..
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