As inflation rises, Pennsylvania businesses face the ongoing hiring struggle, | Hanson Lu Unsplash
As inflation rises, Pennsylvania businesses face the ongoing hiring struggle, | Hanson Lu Unsplash
Thanksgiving dinner prices across the country are sharply on the rise this year compared to 2021, with Wisconsin area residents facing prices pegged to be up by as much as 20%.
"This year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 will run you $64.05—less than $7 per person—according to Farm Bureau's 37th annual #ThanksgivingSurvey," American Farm Bureau posted on Twitter.
Overall, Axios.com reports the average cost of this year’s holiday mean for 10 is $64.04, up $10.74 from last year’s average price of $53.31.
In addition, regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics East North Central states, which includes Wisconsin, shows that prices have jumped 7.9% in the last 12 months before seasonal adjustment.
“General inflation slashing the purchasing power of consumers is a significant factor contributing to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Chief Economist Roger Cryan said on the FB.org website. “Other contributing factors to the increased cost for the meal include supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine.”
Cryan added this season’s rising retail turkey prices can be attributed to "a slightly smaller flock this year, increased feed costs and lighter processing weights.”
As Thanksgiving Day fast approaches, Farm Bureau reports the average cost of a 16-pound turkey stands at around $28.96, nearly $5 more, or a 21% jump from last year when the same size bird was pegged at an average cost of $23.99. At the same time, a 4-pound ham that cost $10.87 last year is now priced at around $11.64 (up 7%), with significant price increases also being felt for such items as a 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix (up 69%), both sweet and russet potatoes (up 11% and 23%, respectively), dinner rolls (up 22%), 2 frozen pie crusts (up 26%), pumpkin pie mix (up 18%) and green beans (up 25%).
When analyzed on a three-year basis, the cost of Thanksgiving dinner has jumped nearly 32% since 2019, according to Farm Bureau, which calculated this year’s national cost averages by using 224 surveys completed with pricing data from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Volunteer shoppers from the nationwide company checked prices in person and online using grocery store apps and websites, looking for the best possible prices without making use of special promotional coupons or purchase deals.
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