Poult sales up for Christmas says FarmGate Hatcheries

- Published: 13 August, 2010

Renewed confidence in the traditional Christmas turkey market has led to increased poult sales this year according to a leading sector supplier.

Poult sales are reported to be up 5.2% this year which is attributed to confidence returning back to the market after the expected reduction in demand last year failed to materialise.

FarmGate Hatcheries MD Paul Kelly said: “More and more farmers are starting to realise that there is a steadily growing demand for the very best turkey at Christmas — as long as it is genuinely better.

“There will always be cheaper turkeys on the market. But trying to compete with these on price is not a viable option for the smaller producer who is rearing birds to maturity and then dry plucking and hanging to enhance the quality.”

Kelly added that his KellyBronze Farmer scheme has recruited five more growers this year, with continuing new inquiries and that the company is putting more resources into developing this sector of its business in the coming year.

“It provides the ideal entry into the premium market and we shall be looking to recruit 10 new KellyBronze farmers every year.”

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