Why eggs and turkey are in short supply - and what it means for your food shopping
Some supermarkets are rationing eggs. We explain why eggs and even your Christmas turkey could be in short supply right now, and what it means for your food shopping
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

A serious outbreak of bird flu coupled with farmers facing higher production costs means some shoppers are finding eggs in short supply.
At the same time, turkey prices have shot up almost 20% since last Christmas. Just when we want to save money on our food shopping.
James Mottershead, poultry board chair at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU (opens in new tab)) said: “Ongoing, soaring production costs are putting the British poultry sector under immense pressure.
“Poultry farmers have been facing skyrocketing energy and feed costs for months now, as well as increases in other input costs including fuel, labour and packaging”.
Why are eggs in short supply?
Some supermarkets are limiting customers to two boxes of eggs
There are several reasons behind the short supply of eggs.
A serious outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) has meant that around 2.3 million birds have died or been culled since October according to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (opens in new tab) (Defra).
Fewer birds mean fewer eggs. And bird flu isn’t the only challenge.
Farmers say the price they’re being paid for eggs isn’t keeping pace with growing production costs, from higher energy bills to increasingly expensive animal feed.
The National Farmers’ Union says its seen a 90% rise in the cost of chicken feed since 2019 – yet according to a BBC report (opens in new tab) – farmers are only getting paid around 35% more per egg.
In pounds and pence, the average price of a dozen eggs has risen by around 50p in most supermarkets while some farmers are only seeing between 5-10p extra.
Robert Gooch, Chief Executive of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) says: “soaring costs of production, which include chicken feed, energy, diesel, pellets and packaging, have crippled many businesses”.
“We have been warning for months that failing to pay farmers a price which allows them to make a profit would result in mass de-stocking or, worse still, an exodus from the industry,”
Which supermarkets are rationing eggs?
Supermarket | Limit |
---|---|
Asda | Two box limit in-store and online |
Tesco | Three boxes of eggs at one time |
Morrisons | Two box limit in-store and online |
Lidl | Three boxes of eggs at one time |
Sainsbury’s | No limit |
Co-Op | No limit |
Will there be fewer turkeys this Christmas?
The British Poultry Council (BPC) admits, “it may be more tricky” getting a free-range turkey this Christmas.
Bird flu also affects our Christmas turkey. The British Poultry Council (opens in new tab) (BPC) say over a million birds and half of the free-range Christmas turkeys have been impacted by this most recent outbreak of avian flu and admit, “it may be more tricky” getting a free-range turkey this Christmas.
But it says, “the challenges wrapped up in avian influenza are only exacerbating existing pressures deriving from Brexit, inflation and an ongoing labour shortage”.
Shoppers will be worried that any potential turkey shortages could mean a hike in prices but the BPC say this is a “commercial decision made by retailers”.
Figures from the National Farmers’ Union (opens in new tab) show that the average price of a 5.5kg turkey has gone up by 17.5% in the past year from an average of £39.84 to £46.83.
Should you buy your turkey early?
Buying early is one way to try and make sure you can get the size you need for your Christmas dinner. Stocking up on a frozen bird means you’ll have one ready – rather than waiting till nearer the time to buy fresh.
Other options include speaking to your local butcher and even contacting your local farm to find out whether they expect to have fresh turkeys and whether you are able to order one in advance.
According to Nous (opens in new tab), even before the turkey shortage was revealed one in three families say they had already planned to ditch turkey this year while 16% planned to buy a frozen bird.
Sue Hayward is a personal finance and consumer journalist, broadcaster and author who regularly chats on TV and Radio on ways to get more power for your pound. Sue’s written for a wide range of publications including the Guardian, i Paper, Good Housekeeping, Lovemoney and My Weekly. Cats, cheese and travel are Sue’s passions away from her desk!
-
-
Water bills up in April: how much more will you pay?
Water bills are set to go up in April – what does this mean for you and how to get help with bills
By Sue Hayward • Published
-
Base rate rises to 4% - what it means for your money
The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 3.5% to 4%, marking the 10th rise in a row. We explain what this means for your mortgage, savings and loans
By Ruth Emery • Published
-
Nectar Big Points Bonanza: boost your Nectar points balance this week
Earn thousands of extra Nectar points by 4 February through Nectar Big Points Bonanza
By John Fitzsimons • Published
-
TV licence scam warning: how to spot the latest fake emails
How TV Licence scam emails pressure you to part with your bank details
By George Martin • Published
-
Food inflation hits record 16.7% - is it time to switch to a cheaper supermarket?
With food inflation at a record high, is it time to switch to a cheaper supermarket? Find out which comes out as the cheapest and how much you can save
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Reforms to child maintenance to support domestic abuse victims
Mothers will be protected from having direct contact with abusive ex-partners when claiming child maintenance payments under new reforms
By Katie Binns • Published
-
Thousands caught out by high-income child benefit tax charge
Ten years on from the introduction of the high income child benefit charge, we explain how it works, who needs to pay it, and how to avoid fines
By Ruth Emery • Published
-
Flybe goes bust and cancels all flights- what are your rights?
Flybe goes bust again leaving passengers without flights - we explain your rights
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
Gender pay gap: Industries that pay women the most and least revealed
Women continue to face barriers to equality in the workforce, as the industry with the largest gender pay gap pays women more than 30% less than men
By Vaishali Varu • Published
-
The cost of dying: How to pay for a funeral
We reveal how the cost of dying has changed, and the various options you have for paying for a funeral
By Sue Hayward • Published