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Inflation has hit the Thanksgiving turkey, and most of the trimmings, too.
The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner is up 14 percent this year, to $53.31, which is $6.41 more than it cost in 2020, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The AFBF's data sets the table for 10, and includes leftovers. The average cost per person is less than $6.
Leading the price hikes this year: a 16-pound turkey, which costs an average of $23.99, or $1.50 per pound, a 24 percent increase from last year. The AFBF, whose survey was conducted Oct. 26 through Nov. 8, notes that you may be able to get turkey cheaper now, pointing out that grocery stores started advertising lower prices later than usual this year.
“The average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys was $1.07 the week of Nov. 5–11 and 88 cents the week of Nov. 12–18, a decline of 18 percent in just one week,” the AFBF said. “Consumers who have not yet purchased a turkey should be able to find one at a lower cost than the Farm Bureau average.”
The Consumer Price Index, the government’s main measure of inflation, has risen 6.2 percent in the past 12 months. “Taking turkey out of the basket of foods reveals a 6.6 percent price increase compared to last year, which tracks closely with the Consumer Price Index for food and general inflation across the economy,” said AFBF senior economist Veronica Nigh.
Don’t forget the trimmings
Side prices have risen, too, though not quite all of them (the cost of stuffing fell). The AFBF’s dinner includes enough to serve a family of 10, with plenty for leftovers. (Beer and wine were not included.) Here’s the dinner, with all the trimmings (and the price increases).
- 16-pound turkey: $23.99 or approximately $1.50 per pound (up 24 percent)
- 2 frozen pie crusts: $2.91 (up 20 percent)
- 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $3.64 (up 7percent)
- Half-pint of whipping cream: $1.78 (up 2 percent)
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.05 (up 15 percent)
- 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.98 (up 11 percent)
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.30 (up 7 percent)
- 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.54 (up 6 percent)
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.56 (up 4 percent)
- 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): 82 cents (up 12 percent)
- Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.45 (up 12 percent)
- 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix: $2.29 (down 19 percent)
The AFBF also creates an expanded menu, which includes ham, russet potatoes and frozen green beans. That, too, has risen 14 percent from 2020, to $68.72. Happily for those who imbibe, the price of wine has risen just 0.2 percent in the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beer and ale is up 2 percent, and distilled spirits are up 3.5 percent.
