Why eggs and turkey are in short supply - and what it means for your food shopping

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?

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?

Will there be fewer turkeys 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.