Turkeys, Christmas trees in short supply in Saskatoon
Saskatoon residents planning a turkey dinner had better gobble up their supplies soon.
"We're definitely, seeing, from talking to providers, talking to different sources, that turkeys will be shorted in western Canada," said Boryski's Butcher Block owner Andrew Boryski.
Some stock Boryski's was supposed to receive is being diverted to help British Columbia residents affected by flooding.
"There's definitely less supply than last year and the year before," said co-administrator for Turkey Farmers Of Saskatchewan Cinthya Wiersma.
"I think most of it is the impact of COVID in the food sector."
According to Wiersma, producers decreased their production due to restaurants, food service markets and deli counters in grocery stores shutting down.
Since businesses were able to fully reopen this summer, demand has since gone back up for turkeys, increasing producers' production.
"It's just going to take a little bit of time to hit the market," said Wiersma.
While some stores, such as Costco, should have more turkey come Dec. 16, Boryski recommends people consider alternatives such as ham or prime rib this holiday season.
As for another holiday staple, Dutch Growers says it’s experiencing a shortage in Christmas trees.
"I think everyone should be able to hopefully get one. Just don't delay, probably get it earlier," said owner Nikki Van Duyvendyk.
Van Duyvendyk says the shortage is caused by a crop failure from a few years ago, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Because of the pandemic, we are finding that more people are wanting live Christmas trees in their houses."
It recommends people pick them up early, and if they're not ready to set them, cut off the end of the trunk to sustain the tree’s longevity.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.