Thanksgiving

Cost of Thanksgiving Meal Down

Dan Commodities, Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Poultry, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Drops Again, Farm Bureau Says

Thanksgiving
Photo by SJ ? on Unsplash

If you enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner yesterday—or are diving into leftovers today—there’s a bit of good news from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The organization has released its annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, showing that the cost of a classic holiday meal has declined for the third consecutive year.

A 5% Drop From 2024
Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

According to Farm Bureau, the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is $55.18, down 5% from last year. The classic meal includes:

  • A 16-pound frozen turkey
  • Stuffing
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Peas
  • Cranberries
  • Pumpkin pie ingredients
Turkey Prices Lead the Decline

The centerpiece of the meal—the turkey—saw the most significant drop in price.

  • A 16-pound frozen turkey now averages $21.50, which is more than 16% cheaper than last year.
Not All Prices Are Down

Even with turkey prices falling, Farm Bureau notes that some other items on the Thanksgiving table—such as dinner rolls, stuffing mix, and other sides—have experienced price increases, partially offsetting the overall savings.

Still, the trend remains positive for holiday shoppers, marking yet another year of moderated food costs for the traditional meal.

Cost of Thanksgiving Meal Down

Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.