Christmas turkeys fetched soaring prices from eager bidders at a seasonal Norfolk poultry auction - illustrating the impact of recent bird flu and cost pressures on farms.
Keys’ traditional Christmas Poultry Sale has been held every year since 1953 at the firm's saleground off Palmers Lane in Aylsham.
But this year there were fewer birds for sale - which auctioneers attributed partly to the impact of high costs and last year's devastating bird flu outbreaks.
Around 70 turkeys and chickens went under the hammer, compared with 130 birds last year, and there were no ducks or geese this year.
However the limited supply, coupled with a "very good turnout of bidders", meant there was extremely strong demand - pushing turkey prices up to £8-£10 per kilo, compared with £5-£6 in 2022.
Auctioneer Tim Blyth said: "A combination of avian flu last year, soaring energy costs and the uncertainty caused by the cost of living crisis meant that producers reared fewer birds this year than in previous years.
"That limited supply, coupled with a good level of demand from bidders, resulted in very strong hammer prices at this year’s sale, as buyers bidded up to ensure they secured a bird for their Christmas table.
"This was our 71st Christmas Poultry Sale, and it is a tradition which we will continue as long as there is demand for it – and this sale demonstrated that people still want to buy and sell Christmas poultry in this way."
The majority of the birds were reared by small-scale local farmers.
Other traditional auctions in the region include the return of Norwich Livestock Market's annual Christmas Turkey Sale, which was cancelled last year amid the bird flu crisis.
The Hall Road market reported a “brilliant turnout”, with “brilliant prices across the board” - including up to £80 for rough-plucked turkeys, and oven-ready turkeys topping at £48, with 115 birds ranging from 6kg to 11kg averaging at £34.50.
Swaffham poultry auctioneer Fabian Eagle also hosted two Christmas Poultry Auctions at Eldon Farm, Holywell Row, near Mildenhall.
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