Christmas dinner plans across the UK are under threat due to a significant shortage of turkeys caused by a new “super strain” of avian flu ravaging poultry farms. Since early October, over 30 cases of this highly infectious virus have been confirmed on UK farms, raising alarms about turkey availability this festive season.
Rachel Dobson, managing director of Lynx Purchasing—which supplies food to restaurants—warns that this Christmas will be unusually challenging for the hospitality industry. “The avian flu outbreak has created shortages not only in the UK but also across Europe and South America, key suppliers for the seasonal turkey demand,” she explained.
Dobson warns that many suppliers are hesitant to commit to turkey prices, or even guarantee supply, signaling that turkey prices are set to surge significantly. “Hospitality operators should prepare for potential shortfalls, receiving fewer or smaller birds than ordered, or in some cases, no stock at all,” she added.
Prof Ian Brown, head of avian virology at the Pirbright Institute, described the virus as exceptionally “fit,” highly infectious, and well-adapted to birds—essentially a “super strain” that exacerbates the threat to poultry stocks.
Major retailers are already feeling the impact. Sainsbury’s has announced a reduced range of turkey crowns this Christmas due to ongoing supply challenges.
Local producers are equally concerned. Kate Postance from Postance Poultry in Tremain, Ceredigion, reports that her flock of 500 free-range turkeys and 3,000 chickens are currently in “flockdown” as a protective measure. “If any of our birds contract the disease, it could be devastating for the farm,” she told the BBC. “We hold out hope for a vaccine, but unless effective solutions emerge, living with this virus is the harsh reality.”
As the festive season approaches, consumers and food suppliers alike face uncertainty around the availability and cost of one of Christmas dinner’s most traditional staples.