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Having turkey at Christmas? The cost of a bird this year could gobble up your savings

mc_squared

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mc_squared

mc_squared

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Having turkey at Christmas? The cost of a bird this year could gobble up your savings...

 

By Sean Poulter

Last updated at 1:41 AM on 22nd November 2008

 

 

article-1088399-028DE278000005DC-701_237x343.jpg Christmas dinner could be expensive this year

 

Those determined to look on the bright side in these tough times might care to avert their eyes.

 

For not even the traditional Christmas dinner looks like bringing much cheer to the price-conscious this year.

 

The cost of a turkey will be up to 50 per cent more expensive than last year.

 

Add increases on vegetables to the total and the cost of a family feast seems certain to soar at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet.

 

Based on current prices, a 2.5kg turkey crown from Tesco, which sells more Christmas dinners than any other High Street store, will be £15.62 this year - up 50 per cent on last year.

 

But price hikes for other staples mean a shopping basket of 13 items covering the main meal, a Christmas pudding and mince pies would cost £29.24 at Tesco, up by 28 per cent on a year ago.

The figures have been compiled by the price comparison website MySupermarket.co.uk, which is advising shoppers to scout around if they want to keep Christmas costs down.

 

Its figures show that Asda has also seen a sharp increase on its turkeys. There, a 2.5kg crown costs 25 per cent more this year at £12.50.

 

 

The 13 items purchased at Asda would add up to £24.90. That is up by 13.7 per cent on last year but still the cheapest of the biggest three supermarkets.

 

Sainsbury's has managed to tame price rises on its Christmas dinners, but the total cost is still more expensive than its two main rivals.

article-1088399-028DE17F000005DC-509_470x587.jpg

 

A 2.5kg turkey crown at the store comes in at £14.99, which is around 50p up on a year ago.The Sainsbury's Christmas meal shopping basket comes in at £26.30, which is

6.8per cent lower than a year ago.

 

Farmers' costs have risen sharply since last December, driven up by fuel, energy and feed, however it is unclear how much of the increase imposed on shoppers will be passed back to the producers.

 

Tesco said it had no choice but to increase the cost.

 

A spokesman said: 'Costs on some turkeys have gone up for all retailers as a result of an increase in feed costs earlier this year which we have had to help suppliers meet.

However, we have absorbed much of this cost in order to protect consumers from the full impact of the increase.'

 

The store said it offered some lower-priced alternatives and claimed it was possible to create a Christmas meal for four for less than £8.

 

This builds the meal around a 567g Bernard Matthews Turkey Breast Roast, at £3.14, and its value range of vegetables.

 

Asda said: 'The reality is the cost price we pay on our turkeys has increased this year, however we continue to offer customers everyday low prices and the lowest priced Christmas shopping basket for the festive season.'

 

 

Sainsbury's said: 'We have invested millions of pounds to help customers offset the rising cost of living in low prices and offers as shown by this research.'

The supply of Christmas turkeys is under threat after slaughterhouse meat inspectors yesterday voted in favour of strike action. The warning comes from public sector union Unison, whose members are in dispute with the Meat Hygiene Service over work patterns and overtime.

 

Unison, which represents around 1,000 workers in the MHS, said they had voted two-to-one to go on strike over planned cuts to overtime pay and new work patterns.

 

The union claimed a strike would 'seriously disrupt' supplies of meat to supermarkets in the pre-Christmas period.

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chuck kottke

chuck kottke

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:PGobble, Gobble!

Turkey could have been our national bird, had Franklin had his way!!;)

They keep roosting on the walkway railings outside my back door - and I just can't see the price tags on them!:laugh3: I'd offer to bring one into the house - you know, just to keep it nice and warm - maybe in the oven, if it's chilled a bit..

Wild Turkey is a flavorful bird by comparison, but a bit tougher and with more dark meat. One could raise the vegetables too.. but considering where the budget goes these days - adding insulation and window insulator films / new windows, door sweeps and seals, tune up the auto and drive a little slower (5 mph slower saves a minimum of ~4 horsepower required on average, and at 15,000 miles per year, that can easily total $120 dollars US; probably twice that in UK Pounds at the price of petrol). Using more efficient lighting saves oodles too - ave. US KW-Hrs. per month is around 720 (what's that compared to the UK's?). Getting the most efficient appliances, insulating the home properly, and going with energy efficient lighting can bring that down to 240 KW-Hrs., taking a bill in the 100's down to $50 or less. Vegetables? Raise a big garden! Save over a $1000 per year on food costs alone, not to mention top quality and excellent taste! One needs a good, high-efficiency freezer or food dryer, but it's well worth it, and won't add much to the electric load if it's high-efficiency.

In the short-term, getting the home tightened up a bit better, getting good seals on the doors, cleaning the cooling fins on the refrigerator and freezer, and tuning up both auto and heating system can save 100's easily.. Driving gently and just a tad bit slower will save over 100 as well - all money that can be spent on things that make sense, and if a turkey goes up a little, then it's no big deal to be able to gobble during the holidays!:)

Have the hot pizza and the cold beer; just not the energy bills!

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mc_squared

mc_squared

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:PGobble, Gobble!

Turkey could have been our national bird, had Franklin had his way!!;)

They keep roosting on the walkway railings outside my back door - and I just can't see the price tags on them!:laugh3: I'd offer to bring one into the house - you know, just to keep it nice and warm - maybe in the oven, if it's chilled a bit..

Wild Turkey is a flavorful bird by comparison, but a bit tougher and with more dark meat. One could raise the vegetables too.. but considering where the budget goes these days - adding insulation and window insulator films / new windows, door sweeps and seals, tune up the auto and drive a little slower (5 mph slower saves a minimum of ~4 horsepower required on average, and at 15,000 miles per year, that can easily total $120 dollars US; probably twice that in UK Pounds at the price of petrol). Using more efficient lighting saves oodles too - ave. US KW-Hrs. per month is around 720 (what's that compared to the UK's?). Getting the most efficient appliances, insulating the home properly, and going with energy efficient lighting can bring that down to 240 KW-Hrs., taking a bill in the 100's down to $50 or less. Vegetables? Raise a big garden! Save over a $1000 per year on food costs alone, not to mention top quality and excellent taste! One needs a good, high-efficiency freezer or food dryer, but it's well worth it, and won't add much to the electric load if it's high-efficiency.

In the short-term, getting the home tightened up a bit better, getting good seals on the doors, cleaning the cooling fins on the refrigerator and freezer, and tuning up both auto and heating system can save 100's easily.. Driving gently and just a tad bit slower will save over 100 as well - all money that can be spent on things that make sense, and if a turkey goes up a little, then it's no big deal to be able to gobble during the holidays!:)

Have the hot pizza and the cold beer; just not the energy bills!

 

Well that's definitely a feather in your cap!!:rolleyes:

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