Prices for centerpiece turkeys are up, but overall consumers are likely to see a mixed bag of price increases and decreases as they shop for traditional Thanksgiving holiday meals.
While recent price trends for whole turkeys were much higher than last year, the cost of other traditional fare like hams and potatoes, as well as baking items like eggs and butter were lower, said David Anderson, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station.
Anderson said wholesale prices for whole turkeys were $1.68 per pound compared to 99 cents per pound this time last year – a 70% increase. Two factors – the resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, and lower overall turkey production – have reduced supplies that have triggered higher prices.
Turkey and egg production were hit hardest during previous outbreaks of the disease, and turkey supplies are still recovering from losses that continued into late spring. Commercially raised turkey hens take 15-18 weeks to reach maturity while larger toms take 20 weeks or more to reach harvest weights.
—Texas AgriLife