Figures covering the shelf availability of products between 17-20 December showed 24 percent of turkeys and 25 percent of paracetamol were unavailable or stock was low.Laura Hoy, Equity Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, argued that the combination of supply chain issues and the pandemic had affected the number of turkeys.

       She said: “With pandemic-related headwinds continuing to hang over the market, shortages and price hikes are likely to continue into the new year.”

       According to Ms Hoy some consumers were concerned about availability given shortages earlier in the year so were buying early.

       She added: “As we approach the big day, it’s no surprise, given the rush, that researchers found almost a quarter of frozen turkeys were found to be low or unavailable in stores.”

       Ms Hoy also pointed out that medicine such as paracetamol has been harder to find due to the impact of the winter cold season converging with the omicron variant.

       A lack of skilled butchers has been blamed by the poultry industry for the increasing lack of meat supplies over the festive season.

       Supply chain issues related to Brexit and the ‘pingdemic’ during the summer have also been blamed.

       In October, the British Meat Processors Association warned that turkeys would need to be shipped in before the festive season.

       They also highlighted the lack of staff in the industry due to the effects of Brexit and Covid-19.

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       In September, the Government relaxed immigration rules to offer 5,000 visas for foreign workers in order to assist the poultry industry in the lead up to Christmas.

       Last month, Head of the British Poultry Council, Richard Griffiths, warned that there would be less choice in British supermarkets.

       He said: “We’ve been able to streamline products and reduce the variety, so that helps with the overall volume.

       “There will be a focus on whole birds and very simple crowns and roasts

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       According to the ONS beer, fresh fruit and vegetables were the products most likely to be available during the festive season.

       In contrast ibuprofen and chocolate selection boxes were among the items most limited in terms of availability.