Kent Farmer Expresses Concern for Turkey Industry’s Future

A farmer in Kent anticipates a concerning outlook for the turkey sector, attributing this to the ongoing cost of living crisis. Farms throughout England have experienced significant reductions in profitability, driven by increased expenses for labour, fuel, and animal feed. Tony Fleck, proprietor of Kent Turkeys at Woolpack Corner Farm in Biddenden, stated that a confluence of factors—including the UK’s departure from the EU, the conflict in Ukraine, and the economic slowdown following Covid—has compelled him to maintain his prices at 2022 figures. Mr. Fleck commented, “If this continues, there won’t be many of us left.” He further elaborated, “We’ve had extra cost on electricity and feed but labour is the main thing that’s gone up due to so many agricultural workers returning to their home countries in the EU.” Ukraine is a significant source of the worldwide supply of fertiliser essential for cultivating bird feed. However, the conflict with Russia has resulted in substantial price increases, with costs escalating from £200 to £800 per tonne. Farmers have also been impacted by the pressure on fuel prices, as operating chiller units for bird storage now incurs expenses of approximately £6,000 monthly. Fortunately for Mr. Fleck, Kent benefits from an ample availability of foreign fruit farm workers during the winter season, which has mitigated labour challenges compared to other regions of England. Nevertheless, Mr. Fleck identified the financial strain on consumers as a primary factor affecting his profitability. He stated, “We’ve had to hold our prices as I fear we would lose customers otherwise as they are reluctant to pay for inflationary increases. “If a customer doesn’t buy a turkey from me one year, I fear they may not come back the next.” John Howe, based in Kent and serving as chairman of the Traditional Farm-fresh Turkey Association (TFTA), observed that farmers who lacked the capacity or desire to invest in their operations were “falling by the wayside.” He noted that the association’s membership had decreased from 40 to only 29 over a ten-year period. Mr. Howe indicated that turkey farmers now require “nerves of steel,” possessing both the financial resources and business insight necessary to invest in their enterprises. “It’s certainly not an old man’s game,” Mr. Howe remarked. He added, “I’d have stopped had it not been for my children who bring modern skills to the business.”