Celebrating Thanksgiving with the traditional turkey dinner is a lot more expensive this year. | Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash
Celebrating Thanksgiving with the traditional turkey dinner is a lot more expensive this year. | Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash
Arizonians could face a shock at the grocery store this Thanksgiving, according to a survey released by American Farm Bureau, which says Thanksgiving dinner prices are up 20% from last year.
"This year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 will run you $64.05 — less than $7 dollars per person — according to Farm Bureau's 37th annual #ThanksgivingSurvey," American Farm Bureau wrote in a Twitter post.
Released Nov. 16, the survey showed that the cost of every staple item is up from last year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said that prices in mountain states such as Arizona have increased more than 9% over the past 12 months. The $64.05 average cost of this year’s holiday meal for 10 is an increase of $10.74 from 2021's average of $53.31, the BLS said.
“General inflation slashing the purchasing power of consumers is a significant factor contributing to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” American Farm Bureau Chief Economist Roger Cryan said in the survey. “Other contributing factors to the increased cost for the meal include supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine.”
Cryan said higher retail turkey prices can be attributed to "a slightly smaller flock this year, increased feed costs and lighter processing weights.”
The cost of a 16-pound bird is $28.96 this year, an increase of almost $5, or 21% over last year's average of $23.99, AFB reported. In addition, a 4-pound ham priced at $10.87 last year now costs $11.64—a 7% jump. Other price increases to staple items include the cost of a 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix (up 69%); both sweet and russet potatoes (up 11 and 23%), dinner rolls (increased by 22%), two frozen pie crusts (26%), pumpkin pie mix (up 18%) and green beans (25%).
The expense of Thanksgiving dinner has jumped approximately 32% since 2019, AFB said.
Costs were calculated by the Farm Bureau using 224 surveys with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, AFB said in a release. Volunteer shoppers checked prices in person and online, using store apps and websites to find the best value without special promotions or deals, the release said.
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