Rising fuel prices hurting Australian fish and chips shops

[Mighty AU]

High fuel prices are not just hitting the hip pockets of motorists, fishermen are also feeling the pinch.

Fuel prices have hit their highest level in a decade and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) earlier this year urged consumers to use comparison apps to seek the best price.

It comes as fishers feel the pinch of drought, with diminished rainfall and high temperatures hitting the industry.

Tricia Beatty, the chief executive of the Professional Fishermen's Association of New South Wales (PFA), estimated the extra cost of fuel to be between $10,000 and $15,000 a year, and there are limited options for fishermen to be paid more for their catch.

"It really does make it tough for the fishermen," Ms Beatty said.

"We are not price makers, we're price takers. When a fisherman brings in his product he has to take the price that's offered to him.

"Business costs are increasing as well so we don't have much margin. There's not much profit for the fishermen and it's hurting them.

"They're really stressed. There's major mental health issues in the industry at the moment and it's all culminating in a tough situation for our industry."

Cheap as chips no more

Combined with other factors the high fuel prices could be affecting the cost of fish and chips at your local takeaway shop.

"We've had to increase the price of fish and chips," Andrew Mitchell said, the general manager of the Coffs Harbour Fishermen's Co-op.

"We've had oil go up in price because of the drought, the sunflower oil we use for our fish and chips has gone way up in price and fuel's gone way up in price, so a box of fish and chips has gone up by a dollar or two depending on what type of fish and chips you get. 

"The locals think we're trying to rort them, and we're not, it's simply that our costs have gone way up."

Read more at https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-11-21/high-fuel-prices-hurting-fishos-hip-pockets/10476090

[Araknid]

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