Supermarkets run out of turkey between December 17 and December 20

The recent data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 24 per cent of frozen turkeys were not available or were in short supply between December 17 and December 20.

Demand for turkeys first started rising in late October this year as Brits braced themselves against warnings of supply chain shortages. The UK shoppers faced low supplies of turkey in the last minute Christmas rush.

In November, British poultry producers had said there would be enough turkeys for Christmas after the industry focused on delivering whole birds to overcome a shortage of processing workers.

Richard Griffiths, CEO of the British Poultry Council (BPC), said customers will have less choice this year but insisted everyone who wants a bird will be able to buy one. There will definitely be enough turkeys for Christmas. I think there will be a focus on whole birds and very simple crowns and roasts,” he said.

According to the Market researcher Kantar frozen poultry sales were 27 per cent higher year-on-year in the four weeks to Oct. 31, with Britons spending an additional £6.1 million. Frozen turkey sales had almost doubled some two months ago, according to analysts at Kantar - showing how families were preparing for the festive season ahead of time.

It comes after fears were raised in September of turkeys being off the menu this year due to the HGV driver shortages and Covid keeping thousands of workers at home during the “pingdemic” crisis.