The U.S. is facing a turkey shortage ahead of the bird’s big day—Thanksgiving.
Key Details
- As Thanksgiving gets closer, the U.S. government has warned of a turkey shortage that could affect the holiday.
- Many parts of the U.S. were hit with the avian flu this year, knocking out most of the big birds that were getting prepared for the Thursday holiday.
- Turkeys will still be in stores, but will most likely be smaller and possibly a little harder to come by.
why it’s important
Over the last few years, it seems that everything has suffered a shortage at some point. First toilet paper then Halloween candy and now—Thanksgiving turkeys.
The U.S. government has warned that there is a national turkey shortage which could affect the Thanksgiving holiday where the bird is typically the main dish.
The shortage comes after many places in the country were hit with the avian flu this year. The avian flu, also known as the bird flu, has killed more than 8 million turkeys, according to CDC data.
Many families opt for a 20-pound-turkey to carve for the food-heavy holiday, but U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said a bird of that size will be hard to come by. There are plenty of new turkeys being raised, but they will not have time to reach that 20-pound weight.
“I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about whether or not you can carve your turkey on Thanksgiving,” Vilsack says. “It’s going to be there, maybe smaller, but it’ll be there.”
Costs going up
Not only will turkeys be smaller and possibly harder to get, but they will also cost more.
Turkey prices have risen 28% compared to this time last year, according to USDA data.
Birds aren’t the only thing that will cost you more money in preparation for the holiday, but most things on the table will go up too.
Potatoes, gravy, and all of the typical Thanksgiving food are expected to be higher in price this year due to ongoing inflation.
