Turkey farmers are reporting a surge in orders as families scramble to save Christmas dinner amid fears of a poultry shortage.
There have been unprecedented numbers of orders for turkey, with most high-end farms reporting soaring demand compared to this time last year.
This panic buying surge has seen some farms receive more than five times the number of orders as in 2020. Several farms are reporting 250 per cent surges compared to figures from this time last year.
It comes as a chilled food firm which supplies the likes of Asda and Sainsbury's yesterday announced it had gone into administration amid the UK's crippling lorry driver shortage.
Meanwhile the boss of the UK's Traditional Farm Fresh Turkey Association (TFTA) today blamed Brexit for Britain's supply chain crisis.
The recent closure of fertiliser factories, due to a spike in natural gas prices, has also led to disruption in food production.
The closure of the plants, one of which has since reopened as part of a Government deal, has led to a decrease in food-grade carbon dioxide - used to stun animals for slaughter, as well as in packing meat, dairy and salads.
There have been unprecedented orders for turkey, with most high-end farms reporting soaring demand compared to this time last year
It comes as a chilled food firm which supplies the likes of Asda and Sainsbury's (pictured: Library image) yesterday announced it had gone into administration amid the UK's crippling lorry driver shortage
Supply issue threatens Christmas: The classic Christmas dinner could be decimated, with turkey, pigs in blankets, potatoes and brussel sprouts all at risk by ongoing supply and distributions issues, as well as a potential CO2 crisis. Meanwhile, toys, vinyl and books could also experience shortages - with experts even warning of Christmas trees not being available
Fears over a possible shortage has now led to a surge in ordering good quality turkeys to prepare for Christmas, according to the Traditional FarmFresh Turkey Association (TFTA) which represents the high-end turkey market.
To cater for the increase in demand in turkeys, many farmers have had to start taking orders earlier than usual with one Cornish farm having customers push to order as early as August.
Supermarket Tesco has already warned that a shortage of delivery drivers, which is causing empty shelves, could lead to panic buying across Britain in the lead up to Christmas.
Kate Martin, a Cornish turkey farmer and chair of the Traditional FarmFresh Turkey Association (TFTA) said: 'Last year we saw
