Fried chicken meals to DOUBLE in price due to shortage of grain and cooking oil from Ukraine
FRIED chicken meals are set to double in price because of a shortage of grain and cooking oil.
Fans have also been warned they could face smaller portions.
The shortages have been caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a major wheat and sunflower oil producer — forcing takeaway shops to pass on soaring costs to customers.
Andrew Withers, boss of Southern Fried Chicken, said it has led to rapid increases in costs and that we are likely to see the cost of home-delivered fried chicken double.
He added: “We haven’t done it, but I’ve seen competitors reducing meal sizes.”
Rachel Dobson, of catering and hospitality suppliers Lynx Purchasing, said: “The cost of feeding chickens is one of the biggest factors in the price of poultry.
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“The loss of grain for feed from Ukraine and Russia will have a significant impact on prices.
“In addition, Ukraine and neighbouring countries — such as Poland — facing disruption due to the invasion, are major processors of poultry, producing products for eat-in and takeaway menus.”
She added: “Ukraine supplies more than 40 per cent of the world’s sunflower oil, used in hundreds of products, including batter on your fish and the oil the chips are fried in.”