The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) reports that the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for a family of 10 has declined to $55.18, or roughly $5.52 per person — marking a 5% drop from 2024 and the third straight year of price declines.
Much of that savings can be traced back to a significant fall in turkey prices. The average 16-pound frozen turkey now costs $21.50, down 16.3% year-over-year.
According to AFBF economist Faith Parum, lower consumer demand and increased holiday promotions contributed to the drop.
However, not all ingredients followed the same trend. While items like stuffing, dinner rolls, and pie crusts declined in price — helped by lower wheat costs — other staples became more expensive. The survey found a 37% increase in sweet potato prices and a 61% jump for a veggie tray of carrots and celery.
AFBF points to weather-related supply disruptions, notably hurricane damage in North Carolina (a major sweet potato producer), along with supply‑chain labor shortages, as key drivers.
Despite this year’s price drop, AFBF leaders emphasize that Thanksgiving remains costlier than in pre-pandemic 2019, and they urge policymakers to support farm resilience. AFBF President Zippy Duvall highlighted the loss of farms, rising input costs, and trade uncertainty as risks to long-term food affordability.
The Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving survey — now in its 40th year — is based on price data collected from all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, with volunteers checking in-store and online.
