Turkey Prices Soar for Thanksgiving because of Bird Flu

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The price of turkeys is soaring this Thanksgiving, and experts say consumers will have to hunt around to find a bargain for those birds.

Driving the price hikes is a stressed turkey supply chain.

The U.S. turkey flock has dropped to its lowest size in nearly 40 years because of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

As a result, wholesale turkey prices have surged 75% since October 2024, according to an analysis by the Purdue University College of Agriculture.

Wholesale turkey prices averaged 94 cents per pound at that point last year, compared with $1.71 per pound last month, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Purdue University’s model predicts that the average retail price of a turkey will be approximately $2.05 per pound in November, which is 25% higher than a year ago, costing consumers about $31 for a 15-pound bird.

Purdue analysts emphasized that the actual retail price range of turkeys is wide because of differences in quality — organic or pasture-raised turkeys cost more.

The timing of the turkey orders by retailers also is critical in determining price.

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Walmart is offering a dinner bundle, which includes a 16-pound turkey and sides, for under $56 for 10 people.

A Thanksgiving bundle from Aldi’s sells for $40 and feeds 10 people. Amazon is offering its own Thanksgiving dinner promotion for $25. Target on Wednesday announced a $20 Thanksgiving deal for four.

Other grocers, such as ShopRite and Foodtown, are offering customers a free 10-to-20-pound store-brand turkey if they spend $400 by Thanksgiving. BJ’s is running a similar promotion for $150.

Wells Fargo’s annual Thanksgiving food report shows that the typical cost of a turkey dinner for consumers is higher than those deals. A holiday menu that uses all store-brand items costs $80, while a menu with all national name brands totals $95, Wells Fargo’s report said.

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