Turkey Shortage? Producer Says No

You don’t have to sweat over a turkey shortage this year, and you may even be able to get a good deal.

Erica Sawatzke is a sixth-generation turkey producer in west central Minnesota. Her family raises 14-lbs birds primarily used for Thanksgiving demand. Erica is also the poultry representative and president of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. She explains that the industry did face some headwinds this year between avian influenza and high input costs. But you shouldn’t have to worry about empty turkey chests at the grocery store.

“There should be no worry or concern from consumers,” she says. “We raise those turkeys year-round; we know our schedule; we plan it out a year in advance. Freezer inventory has been stocked all year round, and so if you want to buy a turkey on Thanksgiving, you’ll be able to find one.”

Sawatzke says if you’re looking for a particular size, label or style on that bird, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead. She recommends calling your grocery store in advance.

And while general inflation has prices up, you may still find a nice price deal for that centerpiece Thanksgiving turkey.

“It’s really common every year that grocery stores will mark the price of turkey down a little bit from your other parts of the year,” she explains. “I think the thought process is that they’ll buy their turkey there because it costs a little bit less, but then they’re going to buy the rest of their Thanksgiving dinner ingredients at that grocery store as well.”

Minnesota has long been ranked the No. 1 turkey producer in the nation. Each year turkey farmers raise up to 42 million birds. And the state boasts the largest number of independent turkey farmers in the nation.