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Christmas turkeys in short supply due to bird flu spike
The Independent
|November 24, 2025
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 cases.
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.”
This story is from the November 24, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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