Farmers are warning consumers to expect smaller turkeys for Christmas this year. Photo / Glyn Kirk, AFP
Families could face a shortage of turkeys this Christmas as a bird flu “super strain” rips through farms across Britain.
An acute strain of the virus had sparked fears of empty shelves in butchers and supermarkets as families try to secure their Christmas dinners. Bosses at some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets are understood to be concerned about availability.
One supermarket insider said they had already “lost a few farms” to outbreaks of avian flu, warning this could cause issues with turkey supplies before Christmas Day.
Those who can get their hands on a turkey have been warned to expect smaller birds as farmers are forced to slaughter earlier to reduce the risk of disease. Prices are also likely to rise because of limited supply.
Pubs and restaurants that rely on turkeys during the busy festive period are also at risk of disappointing diners.
Rachel Dobson, managing director of Lynx Purchasing, which supplies food to restaurants, pubs and hotels, said the industry was facing an “unusually difficult” Christmas.
She said: “Avian flu means there are shortages of supply from both Europe and South America, which supply much of the seasonal demand for turkeys in the UK market. Some suppliers have been reluctant to commit to turkey pricing this year, or even to guarantee supplies at all.
“At the very least, we’re advising hospitality operators to expect turkey prices to be significantly higher this year. Operators may end up receiving fewer turkeys than they ordered, being sent smaller birds, or even being told that no supplies are available.”
Britain produces about eight million turkeys each year and slaughtering for the Christmas period has been under way for several weeks. However, birds that will be sold fresh and whole are yet to be processed.
While avian flu has been prevalent for several years, poultry farmers have been warned they are facing one of the worst winters in recent years, with experts comparing current cases to the epidemic that broke out between 2021 and 2023.
Professor Ian Brown, head of avian virology at the Pirbright Institute, told the BBC this month: “Essentially, we’ve got a virus that’s incredibly what we call ‘fit’. It’s highly infectious, it’s very well adapted to birds, which makes it almost a super strain.”
There have been at least 35 outbreaks across Britain, from Wales to North Yorkshire, since the start of October. If one bird is confirmed as being infected, the whole flock must be culled.
Free-range birds are more likely to catch the disease as it can be spread through wild bird faeces.
Experts said chicken supplies were also under pressure, though these are thought to be more stable.
Jonathan Smith at the National Farmers’ Union said: “Avian influenza continues to threaten the UK poultry sector, and disease outbreaks put a huge emotional and financial strain on farming families.
“However, shoppers should be reassured that poultry producers are working hard to protect the health and welfare of their birds and to ensure we can meet the demand for British turkeys at Christmas.”
A shortage of birds, combined with Labour’s raid on National Insurance and minimum wage increase, means customers are also having to fork out more for their turkey when they are available.
The steepest increase has been recorded at Tesco, where the supermarket’s free-range bronze turkey crown has risen from £18 ($42) per kilogram to £23 in a year. The price of Morrisons’ stuffed turkey crown has risen by a quarter from £20 per kilogram to £25.
Sam Bagge, who runs the Walsingham Farm Shop in Norfolk, said he had lost his turkey supplier as a result of bird flu.
Bagge said while he has now found an alternative provider, the cost has risen 15%. “It is completely devastating for the Norfolk economy.”
The bird flu outbreak has forced the Government to implement a mandatory housing order, meaning all flocks of more than 50 must be kept inside.
Further rules have been introduced requiring all keepers to carry out enhanced biosecurity measures, even if they only have a few birds in a backyard flock.
While occurrences are rare, bird flu has been known to spread to humans. The UK Health Security Agency has urged people to keep a distance from wild birds and to avoid touching sick or dead garden birds.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “We do not anticipate any overall impact on the availability of Christmas turkeys or other seasonal poultry for consumers.
“We continue to closely monitor the avian influenza outbreak and urge bird keepers to comply with the new housing measures in place to protect flocks across the country.”
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