Red alert: Bird flu drives up Christmas goose prices!

Red alert: Bird flu drives up Christmas goose prices!

Bird flu is currently spreading rapidly in Germany, which not only affects pet owners, but also has a major impact on consumers' upcoming holiday preparations. Goose farmers in North Rhine-Westphalia and other federal states are particularly affected by the effects. How derwesten.de reports, the price for fresh geese is currently climbing to 20 euros per kilo, while frozen versions are available for 15 euros per kilo. Imported goods from Hungary and Poland remain cheaper at around 11 to 12 euros per kilo.

The current wave of bird flu is not only causing prices to rise, but also increasing the risk for many companies. The president of the BBG, Lorenz Eskildsen, warned that the availability of geese, especially free-range ones, could become more scarce. The high cost of holiday poultry, which has increased in recent years due to inflation, wages, and transportation and feed costs, could make Christmas a little pricey for many families.

Price development and availability

The total cost for a complete Christmas goose varies between 30 and 130 euros, depending on the size and quality. Another problem could be the impending shortage of suitable animals. In some areas, such as Ostprignitz-Ruppin, trade bans on eggs and poultry products have been ordered, which, according to District Administrator Ralf Reinhardt, could lead to further price increases. The head of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry, Hans-Peter Goldnick, also expresses concern about the situation and is calling for geese to be ordered in order to stabilize prices.

Although there are more and more outbreaks of bird flu, which is mainly transmitted by migrating cranes - there were 13 outbreaks in just ten days in various federal states from Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria - the Christmas goose is unlikely to become significantly more expensive for consumers. About 80 percent of geese are imported from abroad, where prices remain stable.

The concerns of farmers

Of course, the cases of infection on the poultry farms leave their mark. Farmers must react immediately in the event of an outbreak: sales are stopped, production is stopped, and sick animals must be disposed of. This not only endangers the existence of the animals, but also that of the companies themselves. Christa Kühn, President of the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, admits that there are uncertainties regarding the future development of the disease.

Bird flu is a serious problem for agriculture and makes life difficult for producers. This could make preparing for the upcoming festive period a real challenge for many farmers, particularly at a time when demand for outdoor produce is high. How the situation will develop remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: these holidays are likely to bring tensions for both consumers and producers.