Concerns are rising as UK households prepare for Christmas, with a potential shortage of turkeys due to a severe outbreak of bird flu. The “super strain” of the virus, which has affected farms across the country, may disrupt traditional festive meals this season.
Since the beginning of October, UK farms have reported over 30 cases of avian flu. This situation has prompted warnings from industry leaders about a challenging Christmas ahead. According to Rachel Dobson, managing director of Lynx Purchasing, which supplies food to restaurants, the industry is grappling with unprecedented supply issues. She stated, “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.”
The uncertainty surrounding turkey supplies has led some suppliers to hesitate in committing to pricing or guaranteeing availability for the festive season. “At the very least, we’re advising hospitality operators to expect turkey prices to be significantly higher this year,” Dobson added. She warned that operators might receive fewer turkeys than ordered, smaller birds, or even notifications of no supplies at all.
Industry Impacts and Expert Insights
Experts are sounding the alarm over the virulence of the current avian flu strain. Prof Ian Brown, head of avian virology at the Pirbright Institute, described the virus as “incredibly fit” and highly infectious, making it an alarming threat to poultry farms. He noted, “It’s very well adapted to birds, which makes it almost a super strain.”
Retail giant Sainsbury’s has already begun limiting its selection of turkey crowns due to these supply issues. This reduction reflects broader challenges faced by poultry suppliers throughout the UK. In Ceredigion, Kate Postance from Postance Poultry expressed her concerns about her flock. With 500 free-range turkeys and 3,000 chickens currently in “flockdown” to protect them against the disease, she conveyed a sense of urgency: “I’m really worried – if any of our birds contracted it I don’t see a way back for us.”
Postance remained hopeful for a solution, mentioning the possibility of developing a vaccine. “But unless something is done, it’s something we’re going to have to live with and hope we don’t succumb to it.”
As Christmas approaches, the stakes rise for both consumers and suppliers. Families may need to adjust their holiday plans and budgets due to higher turkey prices and potential shortages. With the festive season traditionally centred around this staple, the impact of avian flu could resonate well beyond the farms, affecting dinner tables across the UK.
