Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Rises In 2014
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 29th annual informal price survey
of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates
the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.41, a 37-cent
increase from last year’s average of $49.04.
Year | Average |
1986 | $28.74 |
1987 | $24.51 |
1988 | $26.61 |
1989 | $24.70 |
1990 | $28.85 |
1991 | $25.95 |
1992 | $26.39 |
1993 | $27.49 |
1994 | $28.40 |
1995 | $29.64 |
1996 | $31.66 |
1997 | $31.75 |
1998 | $33.09 |
1999 | $33.83 |
2000 | $32.37 |
2001 | $35.04 |
2002 | $34.56 |
2003 | $36.28 |
2004 | $35.68 |
2005 | $36.78 |
2006 | $38.10 |
2007 | $42.26 |
2008 | $44.61 |
2009 | $42.91 |
2010 | $43.47 |
2011 | $49.20 |
2012 | $49.48 |
2013 | $49.04 |
2014 | $49.41 |
The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at $21.65 this
year. That’s roughly $1.35 per pound, a decrease of less than 1 cent per
pound, or a total of 11 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2013.
“Turkey production has been somewhat lower this year and wholesale
prices are a little higher, but consumers should find an adequate supply
of birds at their local grocery store,” AFBF Deputy Chief Economist
John Anderson said. Some grocers may use turkeys as “loss leaders,” a
common strategy deployed to entice shoppers to come through the doors
and buy other popular Thanksgiving foods.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet
potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots
and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and
milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is
also plenty for leftovers.
Foods showing the largest increases this year were sweet potatoes,
dairy products and pumpkin pie mix. Sweet potatoes came in at $3.56 for
three pounds. A half pint of whipping cream was $2.00; one gallon of
whole milk, $3.76; and a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.12. A
one-pound relish tray of carrots and celery ($.82) and one pound of
green peas ($1.55) also increased in price. A combined group of
miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to
prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and
flour) rose to $3.48.
In addition to the turkey, other items that declined modestly in
price included a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.54; 12
ounces of fresh cranberries, $2.34; two nine-inch pie shells, $2.42; and
a dozen brown-n-serve rolls, $2.17.
The average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011.
A total of 179 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in
35 states. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the
best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional
coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free
turkey.
Item | 2013 Price | 2014 Price | Difference |
Misc. ingredients | 3.20 | 3.48 | +.28 |
Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs. | 3.36 | 3.56 | +.20 |
Whipping cream, 1/2 pint | 1.85 | 2.00 | +.15 |
Milk, 1 gallon whole | 3.66 | 3.76 | +.10 |
Pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz. | 3.10 | 3.12 | +.02 |
1-pound relish tray (carrots and celery) | .81 | .82 | +.01 |
Green peas, 1 lb. | 1.54 | 1.55 | +.01 |
Cubed stuffing, 14 oz. | 2.67 | 2.54 | -.13 |
16-pound turkey | 21.76 | 21.65 | -.11 |
Fresh cranberries, 12 oz. | 2.42 | 2.34 | -.08 |
Pie shells (2) | 2.49 | 2.42 | -.07 |
Rolls, 12 | 2.18 | 2.17 | -.01 |
TOTAL | 49.04 | 49.41 | +.37 |
Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should
be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the
Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a
lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10
people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets
and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF survey was first conducted in 1986. While Farm Bureau does
not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge
of price trends around the nation. Farm Bureau’s survey menu has
remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
SOURCE and IMAGE CREDIT: American Farm Bureau Federation