By Tom Glen, NFU deputy poultry advisor
September saw the start of the NFU’s annual turkey marketing campaign, supporting seasonal poultry producers in promoting their produce to customers and consumers in the run up to Christmas. Our regional turkey marketing meetings featured talks on cost of production and retail insights, as well as updates on feed and seasonal labour. The NFU update included estimated costs of producing a 5.5kg fresh turkey, illustrating the year on year changes. Our overall costings showed a 17.5% increase in the cost of production this year compared to 2021.
With the volatility in raw material markets, energy prices and currency over the last few months, it’s important to note that this will vary between different businesses and may not fully reflect more recent price fluctuations. Nevertheless, this is likely to be the biggest annual rise in production costs that many producers will have experienced.
Avian influenza was a key area for discussion at the meetings, with turkey producers understandably concerned about the impact the disease could have on their businesses and birds, whether as an infected premises or being caught up in disease control zones.
I would urge everyone to take the time to review their biosecurity and take steps to minimise the risk of disease wherever possible.
Information on avian influenza, including biosecurity advice and guidance on disease control zones and licensing is available on NFU online. There is also further information about the ongoing work that the NFU is doing to support producers and the wider industry in this difficult time.
On a more positive note, producers reported that sales are already off to a strong start, indicating that consumers are keen to make their Christmas a special occasion, despite the rising cost of living. Social media continues to be a vital tool in promoting seasonal poultry businesses and boosting farmgate sales.
With social media in mind, the return of #BuyMyTurkey day on Friday 2 December 2022 provides a great opportunity to encourage people to buy from their local turkey producer using the NFU Turkey Finder, and highlight why they should buy a high quality and high welfare British turkey for their Christmas dinner. More information on how to get involved will be available on the NFU website shortly – you don’t need to be a turkey producer to participate.