Is there really a turkey shortage?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 04, 2026
Some of the concerns about a turkey shortage are related to production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projected that stocks of frozen turkeys were down 20% from 2020, reaching the lowest levels since 2015.
Why is there a shortage on turkeys?
Looming turkey shortage is symptom of failing supply chainAccording to the US Department of Agriculture, frozen turkey inventories are 24 percent below their three-year average. Experts say the turkeys are available, but getting them to stores has been the biggest issue due to the break in the supply chain.
Is there really a turkey shortage 2021?
Stark said the turkey shortage is coming from the hatcheries this year. The USDA reports frozen turkey inventories are 24% below three-year average volumes.Is there a turkey shortage 2021 UK?
The British Poultry Council (BPC) has said there will be 'definitely' enough turkeys for Christmas in 2021. The government relaxed visa rules in September to encourage skilled foreign workers to help the poultry industry process the birds.Is there a shortage of Butterball turkeys?
Butterball, the industry giant that provides one in three turkeys this time of year, warned of a potential shortage, citing pandemic-induced labor and supply challenges that have impacted production.Is there a turkey shortage in the U.S.? Here's what we found
Is there going to be a turkey shortage this Thanksgiving?
Smaller birds, popular Thanksgiving sides could be harder to find in 2021. With the countdown to Thanksgiving underway, companies are warning that some turkeys and all those trimmings may be harder to find this year.Why are there no turkeys in the supermarkets?
Turkey is disappearing from grocery stores.According to experts, an increase in corn prices this year, which is turkeys' main food source, resulted in many farmers reducing their supply of turkeys. "The biggest cost of growing a turkey is feeding it.