TYLER, Texas — According to the CDC, turkey meat production has decreased since 2020.The USDA reports that bird flu is one of the main reasons accounting for the loss of nearly six million turkeys since the beginning of the year.
The shortage is causing turkey prices to spike and experts say those prices could set high records this holiday season. And for manager, Toni Tadlock at the Country Meat Market in Tyler, he is feeling the impact.
"Just trying to source turkeys this year, you know even going on Amazon just to try to source turkeys, you're looking at $114 for one turkey with $65 shipping so the cost of turkeys is going to be up to this year." Tadlock said.
The American Farm Bureau reported the price of fresh turkey breast reached $6.40 per pound in September which is 112% higher than this time last year.
"We just posted this I guess last week that we sourced 50 scrubbed turkeys and we are taking a $25 deposit on them to hold them to guarantee that you get one," Tadlock said.
The turkey shortage could have an effect on ham prices as well. Tadlock's only advice is to put your orders in early this Thanksgiving.