Fish and soft drink prices rise

Restaurants are being urged to keep abreast of changes to their supply chains as the UK moves closer to an exit from the EU.

The advice came from the publishers of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index as sharp increases in the price of fish and non-alcoholic beverages was revealed.

A change to Icelandic fishing quotas has had an adverse effect on the availability of cod and haddock, which has caused the price of fish to rise; while the government’s sugar tax, changes in consumers’ tastes and a turn towards more expensive eco-friendly packaging has resulted in a spike in the cost of mineral water, soft drinks and juices.

Shaun Allen, chief executive of Prestige Purchasing, said: “With the Brexit deadline approaching fast, it is essential that businesses remain vigilant to changes in the supply market and continue to dialogue with suppliers to ensuring risks are managed effectively.”

The Foodservice Price Index is jointly produced by Prestige Purchasing and business intelligence company CGA, using foodservice data drawn from 7.8 million transactions per month.