How does Putin threaten the “national dish” in Britain?

Britain depends on Ukraine for sunflower oil, and Russia for importing white fish, and therefore, its famous “national dish” is in danger, according to the British “Sky News” website.

And business leaders in the field of fish and chips called on the British government to present a “long-term strategy” to confront the food shortage crisis, warning of the risk of closing a third of the potato chip shops in the country.

The National Fish-Frying Federation (NFFF) said the four mainstays of Britain’s traditional fish and chips meal “are heavily affected by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, forcing shops to change menus, increase prices or, in the worst case, close their doors”.

He added that 50 percent of the oil used by British fish and chips stores comes from Ukraine, noting that the prices of alternatives, such as rapeseed oil and palm oil, have also risen.

He pointed out that up to 40 percent of cod and haddock come from Russia, noting that “Britain’s sanctions on Russian whitefish will make these supplies even more scarce.”

The source also recorded a doubling in the prices of fertilizers and flour used in fish mixtures, which come mainly from Russia.

He concluded by saying, “As a result of all this, there is a global shortage of key ingredients, which means higher costs, and diminished profit margins.”

A British government spokesman responded to these concerns, saying that “talks with these bodies about the pressures they face are continuing” to find solutions to one of the British favorite meals.