Shoppers should find plenty of turkeys at grocery stores this Thanksgiving, with more sales, said David Anderson, an AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics.
Anderson said wholesale and retail prices are slightly higher per pound than last year. Wholesale whole turkeys averaged $1.80 per pound in late October, compared with $1.69 for the same week last year. He said the national average grocery store price for whole, conventionally produced, frozen turkeys in early November was $1.26 per pound, compared with $1.03 a year ago. He noted that individual stores may price differently and may run promotions.
Anderson said turkey production has recovered from last year's decline of more than 8%. The number of birds going to market is up about 3%, and total pounds of production are up nearly 6%. He said a few highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks have been reported in recent weeks, but not enough to significantly affect holiday supplies.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture retail report for late October shows more grocery stores featuring turkeys than at the same point last year, Anderson said. He expects more features as the holiday approaches.