How Much Will Thanksgiving Dinner Cost This Year?

WASHINGTON -- The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 31st annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.87, a 24-cent decrease from last year’s average of $50.11.

After adjusting for inflation, the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner fell to $20.66—the lowest level since 2010.

Click through for the financial facts for the 2016 festive feast …

The big ticket item, a 16-pound turkey, came in at a total of $22.74 this year. That’s approximately $1.42 per pound, a decrease of 2 cents per pound, or a total of 30 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2015.

• To view the 2016 chart and historical data, click here.

“Consumers will pay less than $5 per person for a classic Thanksgiving dinner this year,” said John Newton, director of market intelligence. “We have seen farm prices for many foods—including turkeys—fall from the higher levels of recent years. This translates into lower retail prices for a number of items as we prepare for Thanksgiving and confirms that U.S. consumers benefit from an abundant, high-quality and affordable food supply.”

The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.

Foods showing the largest decreases this year, in addition to turkey, were pumpkin pie mix, milk and a veggie tray that includes celery and carrots.

“Due to a significant expansion in global milk production, prices fell to the lowest levels since 2009, leading to lower retail milk and dairy product prices. Additionally, this year’s pumpkin prices are slightly lower following the production decline and higher prices seen in 2015,” Newton said.

Items that increased modestly in price were rolls, pie shells, peas, cranberries, whipping cream, bread stuffing and sweet potatoes.

The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986. While the farm bureau does not make any scientific claims about the data, it is an informal gauge of price trends around the nation. The survey's menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.

A total of 148 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 40 states for this year’s survey. Shoppers look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey.