With Thanksgiving in less than two weeks, now is the perfect time to get the traditional turkey. But you might find that to be more challenging than usual this year as there is currently a turkey shortage in the United States, so make sure to bag your bird before it is too late! Here is everything you need to know about the turkey shortage as well as a few alternative options if you miss out.

It is expected that turkeys weighing 16 pounds or less will go the quickest, as families now prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings at home. This shortage is due to a disrupted supply chain, with labor shortages at farms, meatpacking plants, and warehouses. Due to these labor shortages, the frozen turkey inventory is down 24% of the average from the past three years. The cost of feeding turkeys this year has become substantially more expensive with increasing prices for corn and soybeans, making it harder to keep them growing.

Not only will they sell out quickly, but prices are also increasing. The prices of our festive bird friends are projected to jump 3.5% to 4.5%. On top of that, food containing eggs, meat, fish, and poultry are up 10.5% in comparison to 2020. Experts say to make sure you tackle your turkey earlier than usual this year for smaller gatherings, even if it costs a few extra bucks now. Every day it gets closer to the holidays, prices are only expected to increase while the distribution decreases. Not only will the turkey be more pricey and difficult to find, but other traditional Thanksgiving foods will be limited. Bakeries are also experiencing the same problems as turkey distributors, limiting the amount of baked goods at a higher price. Freshly baked and refrigerated pies are down around 11% of in stock rates while prices have increased by 6% since last year.

 If you are too late to getting a turkey and still want to celebrate the holiday in a festive way, there are always alternatives! Roasted chicken as well as glazed ham are great replacements for your traditional turkey. For dessert, as much as everyone loves pies, there are other delicious desserts that will be more than acceptable for the family. A warm apple crisp, pumpkin roll, carrot cake, or layered pumpkin cake will leave your table will no leftovers and many full bellies.

Make sure to get all your Thanksgiving needs as quickly as possible to celebrate this Holiday season in the most festive way possible!

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