Now that the pandemic is fading into the background and we are getting together as families again, it seems as if Thanksgiving provides the best opportunity to do so. Although that may be true, there is a gray lining to this silver cloud, and it comes in the form of cost.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect to pay about 14.9% more than you did last year for your annual turkey dinner. If this seems like déjà vu, you’re not very far from the truth because you paid 14% more last year than you did in 2020.
The USDA is reporting that you will spend about 23% more for turkey itself this year than you did last year. In 2021, the average cost was $1.15 per pound. This year, you will likely pay around $1.64 per pound.
At this point, you’re probably wondering why you will be paying so much more for your annual bird.
According to the New York Post, Phil Lempert of supermarketguru.com says it has to do with a report from the Center for Disease Control, saying that avian flu has killed more than 49 million birds this year. In addition, poultry processing facilities are seeing labor shortages.
With all of this information behind us, there’s also some good news. Turkey prices are being dropped by some stores in an effort to get more customers. This includes Walmart, which is charging less than $1 per pound. Aldis is also in on the price war, charging the same thing they did three years ago on a variety of Thanksgiving products and turkeys.
Since the big retailers are dropping their prices, some other retailers are also dropping their prices to stay competitive. That is why Lambert recommends that you read the circulars closely and choose wisely.
He said: “This is the biggest season for grocery retailers. So, if they can get us now, guess what? You know, we’re going to stay with them for the next couple of months.”
Along with the avian flu and the worker shortage, the weather has also affected the prices. Due to fires in the Northwest, there is less corn to feed the poultry and the war in Ukraine is even affecting the import of manure from Russia.
Moving on to other items that tend to grace the table during Thanksgiving, we also have potato problems. According to the News Star, you can expect to pay 35% more for potatoes.