An outbreak of avian flu will put a squeeze on the supply of birds, including turkeys, chickens and ducks, this festive season.
About 50 cases of two strains of avian influenza have been confirmed since the start of October. Industry officials say they expect supplies of poultry to be tight, especially organic and free-range birds, which are more vulnerable to infection, according to The Guardian.
Avian influenza outbreaks have already been discovered on some turkey farms. While not yet as severe as the 2022-23 outbreak of avian flu, where 207 cases were recorded, the current avian influenza outbreak is causing concern when compared to the 2024-25 season in which the agency recorded 81 HPAI strain cases in the 2024-25 season.
Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said that some producers have already been hit. “We are looking at increasing numbers of cases and it is a bad season, much worse than last year.”
Rachel Dobson, managing director of Lynx Purchasing, which supplies food to restaurants, pubs and hotels, told The Telegraph that 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.”
Already, cases of the HPAI strain have been confirmed on farms near Claydon in Suffolk, Driffield in East Riding of Yorkshire, and Milford Haven in Wales. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone was declared around all of these premises and all poultry was “humanely culled”.
Every year, the UK produces around 8 million turkeys; poultry slaughtering for the Christmas market has been underway for some weeks, except for birds which will be sold fresh and whole.
Avian influenza prevention measures were put in place across England from 6 to 13 November, where by law farmers must follow strict biosecurity and hygiene rules and mandatory housing measures. People with more than 50 birds must house them.
A Defra spokesperson 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.”
