Wholesale turkey prices soar ahead of Thanksgiving. Here's why.
Summary
Wholesale prices for frozen turkeys in the U.S. are expected to rise by about 40% ahead of Thanksgiving due to a smaller supply caused by bird flu outbreaks and decreased production. Despite higher wholesale costs, some retailers are offering discounts to attract customers, and consumer prices are not expected to rise as sharply.Key Facts
- The wholesale price for frozen turkeys is estimated to be $1.32 per pound in 2025, up from $0.94 per pound in 2024.
- Bird flu outbreaks have affected over 3 million turkeys this year, reducing supply.
- Farmers are expected to raise about 195 million turkeys in 2025, down from 200 million in 2024.
- The number of turkeys raised has been declining for years, from 245 million in 2016 to the current forecast.
- Retailers like Walmart and Aldi are offering deals on turkeys and Thanksgiving meal packages to keep prices affordable.
- The average retail cost of a 16-pound frozen turkey was about $25 in 2024.
- Experts predict consumer prices will rise only slightly despite higher wholesale prices.
- Prices for other Thanksgiving ingredients such as butter, milk, and potatoes have remained stable compared to last year.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
