An “exceptionally strong” strain of avian flu is spreading rapidly among UK farms, raising concerns about a potential shortage of Christmas turkeys for British consumers.
Retailers are apprehensive about the increasing number of bird flu cases that could deplete turkey supplies, leading to fears of empty shelves in both local butchers and supermarkets nationwide. The country has witnessed over 30 outbreaks of the virus in farms across the UK since the beginning of October. If the presence of bird flu is confirmed within a domestic poultry flock, the standard protocol in many countries, including the UK and the US, mandates the culling of the entire flock to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. Although an official turkey shortage has not been announced, retailers are acknowledging the challenges faced by the industry in the lead-up to Christmas.
According to Rachel Dobson, the managing director of Lynx Purchasing, the impact of avian flu has caused disruptions in the supply chain from Europe and South America, which typically cater to the seasonal demand for turkeys in the UK market. Some suppliers are hesitant to commit to pricing or ensure adequate supplies of turkeys this year.
Dobson advised hospitality operators to anticipate significantly higher turkey prices this year. Operators may receive fewer turkeys than ordered, smaller-sized birds, or even face unavailability of supplies.
Experts have described the virus as remarkably “fit,” indicating its high infectivity and strong adaptation to bird populations. Farmers have been cautioned about the potential challenges during the upcoming festive season.
In an interview with the BBC, Prof Ian Brown, head of avian virology at the Pirbright Institute, emphasized the virus’s exceptional adaptability and infectiousness, labeling it as a “super strain.”
Recent disruptions in the supply chain led Sainsbury’s to modify its turkey crown offerings for this year. The supermarket will not offer its Extra Large British Turkey Crowns, which typically serve 12 people, during the festive season. Customers can instead choose from small, medium, and large sizes, serving up to 10 people.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.