With turkeys in short supply across Canada this year, experts say Vancouver Island won't need to worry
If turkey is on the menu for Christmas Day this year, you may have heard the news that Canada’s turkey stocks are at a 30-year low. That has many rushing out to secure that perfect bird now, but on Vancouver Island, you’re not going to have to worry.
“We have been assured that we are getting our turkeys,” said Rick Fisher, owner of Glenwood Meats.
At Glenwood Meats in Langford, turkey orders have been coming in fast and furious.
“I think right now we’re somewhere around 300 turkeys ordered,” said Fisher.
Fisher gets his turkeys out of Manitoba and he’s pre-ordered 500 of them.
His only concern is getting them here. Despite heavy rains that caused major damage to roads in the Interior, he has been assured his order will arrive.
“Storage stocks across the country are low,” said Michel Benoit, general manager of the BC Turkey Marketing Board.
That’s due to a couple of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down Turkey farm production across the country and last summer’s drought has made wheat in short supply and expensive. Farmed turkeys are predominately fed wheat to fatten them up.
“We do remain fairly optimistic that we will have enough turkey supply in British Columbia,” said Benoit.
The reason for his optimism is all those washed out roads in the interior. That damage means not as many turkeys will be shipped east, keeping them here on the coast.
As well, the devastating flooding that happened in the Fraser Valley only affected two turkey farms in the Lower Mainland.
“In fact, if the logistics continue, you’re going to have more than enough turkeys because Victoria and the Lower Mainland would be about the only places that our processors can ship them to,” said Benoit.
What this all means is that getting a turkey this Christmas shouldn’t be a problem, but because of this summer’s intense heat and the price of wheat, you may have to pay a little bit more this year’s bird.
“That has increased our cost significantly and so those costs are going to be passed along to consumers,” said Benoit.
Back at Glenwood Meats, Fisher has a good reminder to everyone about what Christmas dinner is all about, whether turkey is being served or not.
“It’s family gatherings and more importantly who’s around the table, not what’s on the table,” said Fisher.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.