November 2024
This Thanksgiving, Americans can expect to spend less on their Thanksgiving meal than they did in 2023.
According to a recent survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the average price of a12-item Thanksgiving basket for 10 people is $58.08 or about $5.80 per person. This is a 5% decrease from 2023, which was 4.5% lower than 2022.
The survey was conducted Nov. 1-7 by Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers at their local grocery stores. The shopping list for AFBF’s survey included turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, veggie trays and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, with enough servings for ten people.
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. The American turkey flock is the smallest since 1983 due to avian influenza; but overall demand has also fallen, resulting in lower prices at the grocery store. Consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey may find additional savings in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Despite the encouraging momentum, a Thanksgiving meal is still 19% higher than it was in 2019, highlighting the impact inflation has had on food prices – and farmers’ costs – since the pandemic.
Although there has been an increase in prices over the years, Americans will have access to a safe, healthy and abundant food supply this holiday season thanks to the farmers, ranchers and producers that work year-round to ensure there is food on our tables.