Statewide Iowa (RI) – The American Farm Bureau’s 40th annual Thanksgiving Dinner cost survey shows another drop this year. Iowa Farm Bureau research director Christopher Pudenz says the survey checks the prices of 12 items each year.
Half the items went down in cost, including the centerpiece turkey.
Turkey prices have been impacted by avian influenza and supply issues in past year. He says this year it appears the bird is being used as an incentive to shoppers.
Pudenz says the hurricane that hit North Carolina impacted production and raised the price for sweet potatoes, and weather also impacted the carrots and celery a little bit for the veggie tray. He says the cost for the ten-person meal topped out in 2022 at 64 dollars, and has fallen every year since then. Pudenz says producers haven’t seen any increase in what they make.
Pudenz says it’s important to think of the farmers as you sit down to give thanks.
The survey did look again at an expanded menu that includes a boneless ham, russet potatoes and frozen green beans along with the turkey. That total was 77-dollars, nine cents for ten servings, which that is 24 cents cheaper than in 2024.
