Overview
- Wholesale turkey prices are up sharply, with USDA data showing roughly a 40% year-over-year increase and a Purdue analysis estimating about a 75% surge to roughly $2.05 per pound, or around $30 for a 15-pound bird.
- Major chains are advertising steep promotions despite higher upstream costs, including Aldi at 77 cents per pound, Target at 79 cents, Walmart in the mid-80s to high-90s, Wegmans at 59 cents with a qualifying purchase, and Lidl at 25 cents with a digital coupon, with some grocers offering free turkeys tied to spending thresholds.
- Experts cite ongoing avian influenza losses and higher input costs as key drivers, noting bird flu has killed more than 7 million commercial birds this year and that feed can account for 60–70% of producers’ expenses.
- Tariffs on imported feed ingredients and on packaging materials have lifted costs, and although President Donald Trump announced rollbacks on some tariffs to ease grocery prices, economists say such moves would mainly moderate increases rather than cut prices in time for the holiday.
- Analysts say retailers may not pass through the full wholesale spike and advise shoppers to look for private-label options, consider frozen vegetables over fresh or canned where cheaper, use store apps and circulars, and shop early to secure the best offers.