From Greg Milam, Sky News Europe Correspondent

The Belgian government has launched an inquiry into the correct price of a bag of ‘frites’, chips to you and me, amid claims that it’s got suspiciously high.

Belgians have been getting worried that the price of their national dish has been going up faster than the price of potatoes.

That’s “odd” says the economy ministry – as the food price crisis causes rioting and death in Africa and genuine concern around the globe.

The man from the ministry says there’ll be a "a preliminary inquiry to explain the difference between the price of potatoes and the cost of a bag of fries."

The Belgians, of course, claim to have invented chips. They are also said to be Europe’s largest per capita chip eaters. On-street ‘frituurs’ are everywhere.

So while the country has more Michelin-starred restaurants per head than France, it also has probably the world’s only chip museum.

At least, as the price goes up, they can console themselves with their two other national treasures – beer and chocolate.

But after the pasta boycott in Italy and angry protests over the price of bread in France, the Great Belgian Chip Swindle demonstrates the real face of the worldwide food crisis right on our doorstep.

Comments

[Ian, Lancashire Apr 26, 2008 4:01:46 AM]

God bless Belgium, chips, beer and chocolate.
Apart from price all EU chip shop owners should be forced to make properly cooked chips that are crispy and not to try and sell the pale crap they would like us believe are chips.

[Khalid Apr 24, 2008 2:59:56 AM]

Such indeed are current market conditions that methodologies surrounding supply and demand entice the supplier to demand more for what he could have demanded less for whetrher or not the chips are up or down.
Taking the humble chip, then lets assume person A pays rent and bills for his shop amounting to £600 per month. Staff wages £2000 per month and buys potatoes at a monthly rate amounting to £500 per month, oil £300 per month, equipment £300 per month, wrappin materials £300 per month and fries a total of 1 tonne of potatoes.
Indicative calculations therefore put the humble portion at circa £0.25 to make plus say an allowance of 25% base markup for future market perfomance and we could safely assume that portions selling at 40p will not raise an eyebrow, however, with all the cod that accompanies many a fish, then profit margins are higher to say the least.
This example is just an example as to provide an overiew, however, no matter what out [Passion] for chips will never fade. [Gat Decor] and lets go to the pub! oh nearly forgot VAT!