The average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is expected to be about 2.8% higher this year. The biggest driver is turkey.
The Arizona Farm Bureau Federation says the average cost of the holiday dinner for a family that size will amount to about $53.38. That's up from $51.89 in 2023 but $4.70 lower than the national average of $58.08
A smaller supply of turkeys this year has pushed prices up to about $1.21 per pound, a 7 cent jump.
In 2022, avian flu led to a considerable price increase in turkeys as the supply fell, but the effects of the virus are no longer a pricing factor.
The survey does not include coupons or store sales. Julie Murphree, the bureau's communications director, said most focused Arizona shoppers can beat the survey’s market basket.
“Though we’re dealing with an increase overall,” she said, "there are no shortage of ways to create savings in your special holiday meal, including in-store discounts and item substitutes.”
The bureau says Arizona farmers and ranchers produce most of the ingredients in a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including pumpkins; pecans for pies; and bread, onions and celery for stuffing.
