St. Martin’s Day geese will cost Czechs up to 10 percent more this year compared to 2024, when a kilogram of chilled domestic goose sold for around 250 crowns. The price increase reflects rising costs across the board—from breeding materials and wages to energy and feed expenses.
Despite the higher prices, demand remains strong. According to Gabriela Dlouhá, chairwoman of the Czech-Moravian Poultry Union, customers are making reservations months in advance. This year, 145,000 geese were hatched in the Czech Republic, with another 10,500 imported for fattening. However, domestic production won’t be enough to meet demand, making additional imports necessary.
Prices vary depending on where and how you buy. Farm-direct geese, already kitchen-prepared, will cost between 250 and 350 crowns per kilogram. Free-range birds sold through intermediaries tend to be more expensive, while live geese that customers must slaughter themselves are cheaper. The most affordable options will likely be found in supermarket promotional offers.
A new regulation this year could help ease supply constraints. Since September, small farmers can now sell up to 2,000 birds per year directly from their farms—a significant increase from the previous limit of 35 per week. Importantly, they can sell all 2,000 birds whenever they choose, meaning they could potentially sell their entire stock during the November St. Martin’s Day rush.
Even with domestic production, imports remain essential. Last November, over 2,000 tons of waterfowl were imported. Frozen geese and ducks arrive primarily from Hungary, which accounts for about 60 percent of imports, followed by Poland, Slovakia, and France. However, Dlouhá warns that farmers must remain vigilant about avian flu this autumn, as outbreaks have already been detected in neighboring countries, particularly in German farms.