Bird flu, high operating costs hike turkey prices for Thanksgiving
Now is the time to buy your turkeys for the holidays.
The supply isn’t as large as usual this year. That’s all thanks to avian influenza (HPAI) that affected more than 49 million birds this year, according to statistics from the USDA. Buying early is key to ensuring there is enough turkey to go around your table this Thanksgiving.
“Looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, we believe that the impacts from the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. combined with skyrocketing production costs have led to a declining domestic turkey flock, lower meat supplies and higher prices,” said Walter Kunisch, a senior commodities strategist at Hilltop Securities.
Kunisch said the number of turkeys lost to HPAI is difficult to gauge, but, “we believe that the USDA’s estimate of a -2.5% year-on-year decline in the domestic flock from 2021 is highly credible.”
He also noted that year-to-date 2022 turkey production is the lowest it has been in 10 years and is 5% below last year’s levels.
“… whole 8- to 16-pound wholesale hen prices are estimated to be +23% higher than 2021. With the spike in turkey prices, we believe that a decline in consumption during the holidays can occur,” Kunisch said.
For the week ending Nov. 4, nationwide turkey prices were averaging $1.14 per pound, right in line with last year’s $1.15 per pound, according to USDA data. But the week prior, they were averaging $1.47 per pound, which is a 27% increase from the year prior. Average prices were up to $1.99 per pound in October, a 73% increase over last year.
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Turkey prices at grocery stores within Stark County
But at stores locally, prices vary.
As of Nov. 7, frozen whole turkeys were in the range of $1.07 per pound for an average 12-pound Butterball turkey at Aldi in Jackson Township. Meanwhile, Acme Fresh Market is advertising for 49 cents per pound.
“… We offer several values to our customers,” said Dave Savidge, meat and seafood buyer for Buehler’s Fresh Foods. “Our hottest retail is a national branded Grade A frozen turkey, Honeysuckle White, we are selling for 89 cents per pound, limit one per customer. Since this is a premium bird at a great retail, they fly off the shelves every year. I do not anticipate any supply issues with this item.”
Savidge also mentioned that Buehler’s also carries premium fresh turkeys, including the Honeysuckle White and an organic offering.
“If you are looking for local Ohio, free range, GMO-free natural turkey, we carry a Bowman & Landes fresh. Bowman & Landes turkeys are raised in Carlisle, Ohio, by the Bowman family. The Bowman family has been in business for four generations, starting in 1915,” Savidge said.
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Although there has been talk of low supply and the potential to run out of turkeys, Savidge isn’t worried about Buehler’s supply.
“At this time, I do not anticipate any supply issues with any of our turkey products,” Savidge said.
Other prices locally included $1.89 or $1.99 per pound at Fishers Foods, depending on which brand you buy, and $1.49 to $1.69 per pound at Giant Eagle. All prices are for online purchases in Stark County through the grocery stores' website or a third-party delivery/pickup website.
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Another alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving
Another option to ensure you have a bird on your table this Thanksgiving is Market Wagon. The online farmers’ market grocery store at marketwagon.com delivers to a 12-county region in Northeast Ohio.
Market Wagon utilizes local farms, including Brockett Family Farm in Portage County, Bluebird Meadows Farm in Lorain County and Yellow House Cheese & Meats in Medina County to source turkeys.
“ … by preordering now, cooks can be assured they have the size of the bird they need to feed their family and friends and are also able to spread out the cost of their holiday meal,” notes a news release from the company.
“In addition to turkey, Market Wagon also offers bread, beans, potatoes, pies and most Thanksgiving essentials − all from local bakers, artisan food producers and small business owners. With one single checkout, customers can place orders from multiple vendors,” notes the release.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Higher prices, lower supply of turkeys this Thanksgiving season
