Overview
- USDA reports wholesale frozen turkeys averaging about $1.32 per pound this month, roughly 40% higher than 2024.
- Purdue’s analysis estimates an average 15‑pound bird around $30, a rise of about 75% since October 2024.
- Experts cite two processing‑plant closures, widespread bird flu losses—including more than 660,000 commercial poultry deaths in Minnesota this fall—and higher feed costs as key drivers.
- Tariffs on imported feed ingredients are adding to producers’ expenses, with feed typically accounting for 60–70% of operating costs.
- Retail prices vary by store as contracts and promotions differ, with deals such as Walmart’s sub‑$1‑per‑pound offer, while the Farm Bureau pegs a classic dinner for ten at roughly $63–$65.