Turkey troubles: Avian flu, smaller birds and higher prices ruffling feathers ahead of festivities

02 Nov 2022 --- As the UK introduces mandatory measures to keep turkeys inside in a bid to curb the deadly avian flu outbreak, the US is watching closely as turkey prices spike and the size of birds shrinks. All this ahead of Thanksgiving and weeks away from Christmas sparks concerns that this year’s turkey supplies come with a raft of complications.

Meanwhile, The European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) highlights that 2021-2022 data shows it is the largest avian flu epidemic in Europe ever, with 48 million birds culled.

In the US, there have been 582 reported outbreaks of bird flu in more than 80% of US states affected, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reports the death of more than eight million turkeys.

“Prices are steady for frozen [turkey], while fresh are better valued,” highlights the US department of agriculture in its last week report on retail turkey. 

Prices for whole birds (16 pounds) are 28% higher than one year ago, with prices being up 0.7% in the last week. In September, turkey prices accelerated by 1.3%, according to the US Consumer Price Index – with consumers paying for all kinds of “uncooked turkey” 17% more than one year ago. 

The US secretary of agriculture, Tom Vilsack, flagged that there would not be shortages of the bird for Thanksgiving, in three weeks, however consumers might have to opt for smaller birds.

Moreover, the egg industry has also experienced disruption due to the avian flu, with sending large egg prices soaring.

48 million birds have been culled in Europe due to the outbreak.Terrified turkey producers
With Christmas coming in just eight weeks, turkey producers are increasingly worried, facing a barrage of difficulties in what should be one of the most profitable times of the year. 

“Around 10 million turkeys are reared for Christmas in the UK every year and one million of those are free range. The free-range turkey sector has been hit by bird flu extremely hard. We predict around 30% of free-range turkeys in the UK have been directly affected by it,” a British Poultry Council spokesperson tells FoodIngredienstFirst. 

“Farmers are working very hard and we are liaising with the Government to explore ways to support producers like being able to slaughter earlier, freeze and then sell defrosted. Those who buy a free range turkey may see fewer of those specific birds available due to the impacts of bird flu.”

Over five million birds have died or been culled in the last year.

“We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England. The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice,” adds Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer.

Mandatory measures
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds will be introduced in England next Monday (November 7).

“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways from wild birds remain the best form of defense,” underscores Middlemiss.

Since the October 2021 outbreak, 200 cases have been confirmed, with the disease being detected at over 70 premises. 

Europe “largest avian epidemic ever”
ECDC reports show a total of 2,467 outbreaks and 187 detections in captive birds of the disease.

“The geographical extent of the outbreak is unprecedented, ranging from Svalbard islands 

(Norway), to South Portugal and eastern to Ukraine, affecting 37 European countries,” explains the health body.Some US families will have to buy smaller turkeys this Thanksgiving and Christmas due to lack of availability of larger ones.

“Several groups of people, mainly those working in the animal sector, are at increased risk of exposure to infected animals. It is vital that clinicians, laboratory experts and health experts, both in the animal and human sectors, collaborate and maintain a coordinated approach,” underscores Andrea Ammon, ECDC director.

While no human transmission has been observed in the EU in recent years, the ECDC stresses caution.

Quarantine containment
The UK government explains that “evidence shows” that housing birds reduces the risk of the birds contracting the flu.”

“However, housing alone will not protect birds and all keepers must still follow the other enhanced biosecurity measures mandated by the AIPZ at all times to protect their flocks and prevent the risk of future outbreaks which is circulating in wild birds.”

Extra precautions that can be taken are limiting the access of non-essential people on site, workers to change clothes and footwear before entering the facilities and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly.

Other advice from the authorities is to reduce the movement of people to minimize contamination chances and to keep records of the mortality of the birds.

“The UK Health Security Agency continues to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.”  

By Marc Cervera