Turkey Supply, Prices Hit Hard By Avian Flu Outbreak

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The avian influenza outbreak has created a turkey shortage at sandwich shops and meat markets across Chicago.

A sign at a Jimmy Johns sandwich shop in the Loop informed customers that it has simply run out. They weren't serving the popluar "Turkey Tom" sandwich.

Store managers admit the shortage, caused after the "bird flu" killed millions of turkeys, could continue.

On the Jimmy John's website, the company explains a nationwide outbreak of avian influenza, which wiped out 40 million turkeys and chickens, hit their supply chain especially hard.

The turkey shortage is also noticeable at butcher shops like Peoria Packing in the West Loop, especially for turkey breasts.

The turkey breasts there are small because farmers, desperate to get some kind of product to market, slaughtered younger, smaller turkeys.

Of course with the supply down, prices are up.

Turkey breast last month cost $1.90 a pound. Today, is $2.29. Next month's estimate: $2.59.

Other turkey prices are also affected: Boxes of turkey burgers were $7.99 in June, now they're $8.99.

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving, experts predict a 10 percent decrease in turkey production.

However, because the United States is exporting fewer turkeys this year, the domestic supply around the holiday should be adequate to keep prices at a normal level, or about $1.05 a pound for a holiday bird.