Centrepiece of festive dinner plates goes under the gavel in York

They will soon be the crowning glory of Christmas dinner tables across the county, and there were around 900 all lined up and under the gaze of buyers at York Auction Centre earlier today.
The Christmas poultry sale at York Auction Centre. Pictures by Tony Johnson.The Christmas poultry sale at York Auction Centre. Pictures by Tony Johnson.
The Christmas poultry sale at York Auction Centre. Pictures by Tony Johnson.

Freshly processed poultry lined the tables as around 400 potential buyers, including members of the public, gathered round to bid on the birds.

Among the line-up were about 500 turkeys and 150 geese, as well as chickens and ducks, with vendors travelling from across Yorkshire to sell their locally produced and processed stock.

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Turkeys sold for an average price of £7 per kilogram and up to a top price of £9.55 per kg. The birds weighed from 4kg to the biggest at 14kg.

About 400 potential buyers attended the sale.About 400 potential buyers attended the sale.
About 400 potential buyers attended the sale.

Auctioneer Richard Tasker said: “The prices are comfortably up on last year. I think that’s because we have got a good following, especially through the private sector who enjoy the experience of buying, experiencing the occasion and the Christmas lunch better than they enjoy pushing round a supermarket trolley.”

Mr Tasker hailed the longevity of traditional auctions, even though many smaller poultry producers are finding it harder to compete in the wider market.

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