Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Fall for Third Year in a Row

Washington, D.C. — The cost of Thanksgiving dinner will be lower this year compared to last year, marking a third consecutive year of price declines. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) announced that their 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey indicates the average cost for a classic holiday meal for ten is $55.18, approximately $5.52 per person, marking a 5% decrease from 2024.

This price decline follows two years of significant increases, including a record high of $64.05 in 2022. The decrease is largely attributed to the price drop of the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece, the turkey. The average price for a 16-pound frozen turkey is now $21.50 or $1.34 per pound, showing a decrease of more than 16% from last year.

“It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal,” said AFBF Economist Dr. Faith Parum. “Farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks that were devastated by avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen, helping ensure turkey remains an affordable option.”

The shopping list surveyed included staples like turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie, all in quantities suitable for ten servings. Notably, half of the ingredients in the informal survey saw a price decline, with costs for dinner rolls and stuffing falling due to lower wheat prices.

However, prices for fresh vegetables and sweet potatoes increased significantly. A veggie tray has gone up more than 61%, while sweet potatoes are up 37%. These increases are partly due to hurricane damage in North Carolina, which is the largest grower of sweet potatoes in the U.S.

“We are blessed to live in a country that produces such an abundant food supply,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. He added that while there are modest declines in meal costs, food price concerns remain high for many families, particularly in rural areas. He also noted the loss of 15,000 farms last year due to various economic challenges.

The AFBF’s survey also expanded this year’s menu to include boneless ham, Russet potatoes, and frozen green beans, raising the overall cost to $77.09 if included. The national average cost was calculated using pricing data gathered from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with volunteers checking both in-store and online prices.

The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey has been conducted since 1986, providing a useful record of holiday meal cost trends over the years.