AFBF: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Drops For Third Year In A Row

The AFBF’s 33^rd annual survey of Thanksgiving Day dinner shows prices decreased year over year.  The American Farm Bureau says it will cost $4.89 per person for a tradition Thanksgiving dinner, a 22 cents drop from last year, and the third straight year of price declines.  AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton attributes the lower overall cost of the dinner to the price of the drop in turkey prices.

But outside of that there were other foods showing a year-over-year prices drop, including milk, sweet potatoes, green peas and a dozen rolls.  There were a few items that reported a price increase, such as cranberries, pumpkin pie mix and stuffing.  The AFBF also looked at Thanksgiving dinner not made from scratch.

“We surveyed some of the top food delivery services and found that the average cost of a Thanksgiving Day dinner was about 60% higher the average cost for a turkey was about 50% higher," Newton said.  "When using this food delivery service the average cost was around $8 per person, compared to less than $5 when going to the grocery store.”

New this year, three items Newton says reflect the changing consumer pallet.

“We added a bone-in ham, green beans, and Russet potatoes.  Adding these new items to the Thanksgiving dinner menu reflects the diversity of Thanksgiving dinners across America.  And to add these new items cost slightly more than $1 per person, making the total cost of the Thanksgiving dinner slightly higher than $6 per person,” Economist Dr. John Newton.