Christmas turkey supply hit by 'bad season' of bird flu

UK poultry producers are battling a “bad season” of bird flu, with cases much worse than at this point last year, putting a squeeze on supplies of Christmas birds including turkeys, chickens and ducks.

- Joanna Partridge Sarah Butler

Two industry insiders said they expected supplies of all poultry to be tight ahead of the festive season, especially for organic and free-range birds, which are considered to be the most vulnerable to infection. There are also likely to be fewer large birds available as some producers have started processing their flocks earlier to try to avoid the risk of infection.

About 5% of the UK's seasonal poultry flock - including turkeys, ducks and chickens - totalling an estimated 300,000 birds, are thought to have been culled so far.

The avian influenza outbreak has seen higher numbers than last winter, though it is not yet as severe as 2022-23 - the largest outbreak the country has experienced.