Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Dip for Second Year: Survey Insights

Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Dip for Second Year

According to a recent survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Thanksgiving dinner costs dipped for the second year in a row, with the classic holiday meal for 10 people averaging $58.08, or less than $6 per person. This marks a 5 percent drop from the previous year, when the cost was approximately $61.17 for the same number of guests.

Notable Price Changes in Dinner Items

In 2022, the Thanksgiving meal amounted to an all-time high of $64.05. Since then, prices have fluctuated, with some essential dinner items witnessing a decrease this year:

• Turkey
• Sweet potatoes
• Frozen peas
• Carrots and celery tray
• Pumpkin pie mix
• Pie crusts
• Whole milk

Conversely, dinner rolls, fresh cranberries, whipping cream, and cubed stuffing saw price increases of over 8%.

AFBF economists Bernt Nelson and Samantha Ayoub noted that “nonfood inflation and labor shortages have driven up costs across the food supply chain.” The latest report highlights that fresh cranberries experienced a 12% price increase.

Regional Variations in Thanksgiving Dinner Prices

Regional disparities are apparent, with the West facing the highest costs, averaging $67.81 for a 10-person dinner—15% more expensive than the national average. The Midwest follows at $58.90, the Northeast at $57.36, while the South remains the most affordable at $56.81.