Christmas turkeys could be in short supply this year due to bird flu surge
There may be a turkey shortage in the UK this Christmas due to rising cases of bird flu.
Nearly 50 cases of the ultra-contagious HPAI H5N1 bird flu strain have been confirmed so far since the beginning of October, which marks the start of the 2025-2026 season, according to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Industry officials reportedly expect supplies of poultry, including turkey, chicken and duck, to be tight ahead of the festive season; especially organic and free-range birds, which are considered most vulnerable to infection. Guard.
Although not yet as severe as the 2022/23 avian flu outbreak, which recorded 207 cases, the current avian flu outbreak raises concern compared to the 2024-2025 season, when the agency recorded 81 HPAI cases in the 2024-2025 season.
Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, told the newspaper: “Some producers have already been very badly affected.
“We are looking at rising case numbers and this is a bad season, much worse than last year.”
Rachel Dobson, managing director of Lynx Purchasing, which supplies food to restaurants, bars and hotels, said: Telegram He said the industry was facing an “unusually difficult” Christmas.
He said: “Bird flu means there is a shortage of supply in Europe and South America, which supply the bulk of seasonal turkey demand in the UK market. “Some suppliers have been reluctant to commit to turkey prices or even guarantee supply this year.
“At the very least, we advise hospitality operators to expect turkey prices to be significantly higher this year. Operators may end up receiving fewer turkeys than they ordered, smaller birds being shipped out, or even being told no supplies are available.”
Already, cases of the HPAI strain have been confirmed at farms near Claydon in Suffolk, Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Milford Haven in Wales. A 3 km containment zone and a 10 km surveillance zone were declared around all these facilities and all poultry were “humanely culled.”
Avian flu containment zone shelter measures were introduced across England from 6 to 13 November; Here, farmers are required by law to comply with strict biosecurity and hygiene rules and mandatory housing measures. People with more than 50 birds need to house them.
Independent It contacted the British Poultry Council and DEFRA for comment.
