How Much will Your Turkey Cost?
The vegetarian option, anyone?
This year sees the highest price I have ever paid for turkey, it has literally shot through the barn roof and what is more concerning is that it doesn’t look like it’s going to drop.
I have been asked on numerous occasions if it was the recent bird flu scare which shook the market but the real reason is much less newsworthy; it is the price of feed.
I was told by my biggest supplier that feed accounts for some 85% of the cost of breeding poultry which is quite incredible. Many farmers were predicting a rise of 10% on the price of a turkey just to recover the extra costs. This will affect the price of all meat and I am sure imported meat prices will also rise due to demand. The price of beef has been rising steadily throughout the year and again I cannot see the trend slowing down, let alone changing.
This is difficult for caterers who often have to set their prices some months in advance and the same pinch will almost certainly be felt by the domestic consumers who are already being ’stitched up’ by the price fixing supermarkets.
My advice would be to look to cheaper ingredients, there are cheaper fillets of fish to try and different cuts of meat which are suited to longer cooking that wont break the bank. As I have mentioned before the skill (and fun) is in doing something imaginative with them.
Merry Christmas?
Chef,
you say shot through the roof but is it actually expensive ?
When you look at the cost of turkeys and turkey based products they do seem cheap.
I can buy a chicken or turkey breast etc for less money than a little square of cheese !
Are they becoming prohibitive or just more expensive ?
DC
December 7, 2007 @ 9:27 am
DC,
I make the point following a £7 increase per half crown on last year. Consider the buying power that I have and think what everyone else has to pay!
Miles
December 7, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
Cid,
That snipe might be back on the agenda! Are you any good at fishing?
A survival strategy may be needed for the New Year. Old skills will be drawn upon.
December 7, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Elsie,
That’s the spirit…. operation ‘Swipe a Snipe’ is back on
I get goose bumps at the thought of the words survival and old skills… we both know this means Ray Mears, he’s sure to lend a hand and a boomerang.
Miles is still dealing in old money… keeps referring to half crowns, no doubt each turkey will have a sixpence inside too! Do you think our common sense approach will help him through the difficult times ahead? We must be ready with our unique brand of useful tips to ease his troubled mind…
Cid
December 7, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Cid
.
We must be the guiding stars to help Miles through this fog. I would suggest that he serves a wine soup or stiff strong snifters and mulled wine. brandy soaked minced pies, some soothing music and the guests will delight in simple turkey, sprouts and mash without any bother.. They will be having a merry old time, singing in a winter wonder land
December 8, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Elsie,
I think he needs a break. We’ll take over the kitchen and serve Sprout Surprise to everyone regardless of what they order. By the time they’ve nibbled on your suggested mincepies and sampled a snifter… they’ll be ours for life as Jean Brodie might say
Cid
December 8, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Cid,
We are, of course, the Creme de la Creme after all
December 8, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
Miles,
I couldn’t devour a turkey and I, for one, will aim to have pheasant this Christmas, wrapped in bacon, some croutons and breadsauce etc, etc.
December 8, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Christine,
Roast Pheasant sounds great, a welcome change, I am sure. Let me know how it goes.
Miles
December 8, 2007 @ 11:42 pm