Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines
Sonora, CA — The Farm Bureau has put out its annual survey detailing the average cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people. Farm Bureau’s 39th annual survey shows a 5% decrease from 2023. Despite the encouraging decreases, a Thanksgiving meal is still 19% higher than it was in 2019, which highlights the impact inflation has had on food prices – and farmers’ costs – since the pandemic.
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – helped bring down the overall cost of dinner. The average price for a 16-pound turkey is $25.67. That is $1.60 per pound, down 6% from last year.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices Nov. 1-7, before most grocery store chains began featuring whole frozen turkeys at sharply lower prices. According to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys declined further during the second week of November. Consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey may find additional savings in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist Bernt Nelson says, “The turkey is traditionally the main attraction on the Thanksgiving table and is typically the most expensive part of the meal,” He adds, “The American turkey flock is the smallest it’s been since 1985 because of avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen, resulting in lower prices at the grocery store for families planning a holiday meal.”
“We should all be thankful that we live in a country with such an abundant food supply,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We are seeing modest improvements in the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for a second year, but America’s families, including farm families, are still being hurt by high inflation.”
“America has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world. In order to maintain that, we need a strong farm bill which enables Americans to pursue their dreams without worrying about feeding their families,” Duvall said. “A new farm bill with a modernized safety net to support those who raise crops and livestock ensures farmers can survive tough economic times and continue to supply food for America’s families, not just for the holidays, but year-round.”
In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also includes boneless ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost by $19.26, to $77.34.
The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. The informal survey provides a record of comparative holiday meal costs over the years. Farm Bureau’s classic survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and milk.
Individual Prices
16-pound turkey: $25.67 or $1.60 per pound (down 6.1%)
14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $4.08 (up 8.2%)
2 frozen pie crusts: $3.40 (down 2.9%)
Half pint of whipping cream: $1.81 (up 4.7%)
1 pound of frozen peas: $1.73 (down 8.1%)
1 dozen dinner rolls: $4.16 (up 8.4%)
Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.75 (down 5.1%)
30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.15 (down 6.5%)
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.21 (down 14.3%)
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $2.93 (down 26.2%)
1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $.84 (down 6.4%)
12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.35 (up 11.8%)
Regional Averages
AFBF analysis revealed regional differences in the cost of the meal.
The cost for the classic meal was the most affordable in the South at $56.81, followed by the Northeast at $57.36, the Midwest at $58.90, and then a significant jump in the West at $67.05. The expanded meal (classic meal plus boneless ham, Russet potatoes and green beans) was the most affordable in the South at $81.07, the Northeast at $81.37, the Midwest at $83.04, and least affordable in the West at $93.33.
