A major UK supermarket has announced a Christmas turkey SHORTAGE with a popular item unavailable this year. Sainsbury’s has said it has been hit by a supply issue with its Christmas turkeys this year
Shoppers will not be able to get Extra Large British Turkey Crowns this Christmas. These were sold by the supermarket in previous years, weighing between 2.9-3.1kg and serving 12 people.
Instead, Sainsbury’s – which is rivalled by Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco and Asda – says shoppers will only be able to buy small, medium and large versions, which serve up to 10 people.
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Replying to a shopper on X who noticed frozen XL turkey crowns were “not available anywhere”, Sainsbury’s said: “Unfortunately, we won’t be ranging an XL Crown this year due to [a] supply issue”.
It added that Large Turkey Crowns would still be available, and that these would “likely be similar in size” due to the weight-banding.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We know Christmas is a special time for our customers and we’re offering a wide range of delicious fresh and frozen turkey crowns in small, medium and large sizes, serving up to 10 people.
“We have plenty of supply of these sizes, so customers can shop with confidence knowing there are no concerns about the availability of turkey crowns this Christmas.”
Farmer Andrew Goodman, who works at Goodman’s Geese in Great Witley, Worcestershire, told the BBC that the threat of bird flu infections was a “continual worry” ahead of the festive period. A single outbreak of the disease could lead 10,000 Christmas lunches to “disappear”, he said.
Describing the impact of an outbreak, he said: “You’re finished basically.
“If we got it, all the birds would be slaughtered on the farm and then, with our free-range system, you’re not allowed to restock for 12 months. Which would mean no birds for Christmas next year.”
“Hopefully we will be alright. We’ll do everything we can to prevent it,” he said.
“We’re in a fairly good area, we haven’t got a large body of water near us. So we haven’t got that water fowl risk of coming onto the farm.
“It’s frightening every time you come down in the morning to check the birds, you just think ‘oh hell’. You learn to live with it but it does play on your mind quite a bit.”
