Fish and chip shops across the city are fearing the chop as the price of spuds sky-rocket.

Chippy owners have been hit with "enormous" hikes in potato prices due to the poor yield from last year and crisp factory giants buying up stocks causing costs to rise.

It's causing some independent shops to spend more than £3,000 a year extra in order to fulfil its customer demand.

Norwich Evening News: The Family Fish Bar in Silver Road - Picture: Shelley PlantThe Family Fish Bar in Silver Road - Picture: Shelley Plant (Image: Shelley Plant)

The cost-of-living crisis initially battered fish and chip shops going into the new year, with many worrying smaller venues won't survive.

That concern has only continued since then as the potato price hike now has some smaller shops in hot water.

Shelley Plant co-owns the Family Fish Bar in Silver Road with her partner Mahmut Harput and said: "Potato prices are at an all-time high.

"It's gone up to roughly £16 per sack and we'll buy 20 sacks a week, so over the year it's an extra £3,120 altogether.

Norwich Evening News: Co-owners of the Family Fish Bar, Mahmut Harput and Shelley Plant - Picture: Shelley PlantCo-owners of the Family Fish Bar, Mahmut Harput and Shelley Plant - Picture: Shelley Plant (Image: Shelley Plant)

"Potato merchants are struggling to buy them in at a good price and unfortunately it means the wholesale price increases, so businesses like us feel it.

"We just have to try and absorb the cost elsewhere until hopefully the prices come back down again.

"Thankfully fish has dropped in price slightly so luckily we haven't had to put our prices up but if we do I'll have to explain to our customers why, because at the end of the day, you can't compromise on quality.

"But we'll survive and keep smiling through because we've had such great support from the community here who still come and get their fish and chips on a Friday."

Norwich Evening News: A number of shops in the city have said the price of potatoes has increased by roughly £3 - Picture: NewsquestA number of shops in the city have said the price of potatoes has increased by roughly £3 - Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

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Peter Ketteringham is a potato merchant for family business, P Ketteringham Potatoes in Drayton, who supplies fish and chip shops and caterers.

The 58-year-old added: "Since the new year I've seen a steady increase in potatoes.

"It's a supply and demand market and right now there's a huge demand for good quality potatoes.

"We've seen an increase of £3-£4 for every 25kgs we buy in.

Norwich Evening News: Peter Ketteringham, potato merchant for P Ketteringham Potatoes in Drayton - Picture: Neil DidsburyPeter Ketteringham, potato merchant for P Ketteringham Potatoes in Drayton - Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Neil Didsbury)

"We buy in the region of 50 to 60 tonnes every week so it's a dramatic increase - more than 50pc for us.

"We're doing our best to not pass additional cost on to our customers but we have to make our margins viable and they're squeezed enough since the price has risen.

"I think for the forseeable future the price of potatoes will increase as this shortage is only going to get worse.

"We're taking less profit to try and keep the industry alive.

Norwich Evening News: The Fish Inn, located in Colman Road - Picture: Burhan OskuThe Fish Inn, located in Colman Road - Picture: Burhan Osku (Image: Burhan Osku)

"Fish and chips is the UK's national dish and we need to keep hold of our traditions, but I fear the smaller shops won't survive these increases."

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Burhan Osku owns the Fish Inn, located in Colman Road, and added: "We spend an extra £120 every week just on potatoes now.

"It's roughly an extra £3 and seemingly going up more.

"There's a lack of quality potatoes around due to the weather last summer meaning the price has gone up for those that are better quality.

Norwich Evening News: Burhan Osku, 39, owner of the Fish Inn - Picture: Burhan OskuBurhan Osku, 39, owner of the Fish Inn - Picture: Burhan Osku (Image: Burhan Osku)

"Our profit margins continues to shrink and we're taking less money than what we're used to, so we hope this is only temporary, but it's slightly hit and miss at the moment.

"The issue is also that prices have gone up for everyone, so you can't make things too expensive otherwise people just can't afford it.

"Unfortunately I don't see a lot of smaller shops surviving this.

"It's tougher than the 2008 recession and lockdown we had."