How Much Does a Turkey Cost Per Pound? Your Complete Guide to Turkey Pricing

As Thanksgiving approaches, many Americans start planning their holiday meals and wondering how much it will cost to purchase a turkey this year. With food prices on the rise amid high inflation, understanding the current market price per pound for whole turkeys and different turkey products can help you budget and shop savvily. This article provides a comprehensive overview of how much turkeys cost per pound from various sellers, how prices compare to previous years, and factors impacting today’s turkey costs.

Average Cost Per Pound for Whole Turkeys

According to the USDA, the average price per pound for whole frozen turkeys this year is $199 per pound This is an increase of over 20% compared to 2021’s average per pound price of $1.64.

For a typical 15 pound turkey this means Americans can expect to pay around $35.40 on average this Thanksgiving. The USDA reports that Hawaii has the highest average costs at over $50 for a 15 pound bird. South Carolina and Virginia also exceeded $40 for a 15 pound turkey on average.

Of course, prices can vary substantially depending on specific retailers, turkey size, fresh vs frozen, and enhanced products.

Costco Whole Turkey Prices

Popular warehouse chain Costco offers some of the best deals for budget-conscious shoppers looking to buy a whole turkey.

• Their frozen Kirkland Signature turkeys start at $0.99 per pound for a 10-15 pound bird. Larger birds over 20 pounds cost $0.89 per pound.

• Fresh organic and kosher turkeys range from $2.49 to $2.99 per pound.

• Costco’s holiday roast turkey breast sells for $2.99 to $3.49 per pound.

Fresh vs Frozen Turkey Costs

In general, fresh turkey costs more per pound than frozen. Nationwide frozen turkey averages $1.99 per pound for a 15 pound bird. Fresh turkeys average $2.36 per pound, equaling $35.40 total for a 15 pounder.

Regional fresh turkey prices include:

• Northeast: $2.30/lb
• Midwest: $2.49/lb
• South: $2.31/lb
• West: $2.51/lb

Organic and free-range fresh turkeys can run over $4 per pound from specialty retailers like Whole Foods.

Where to Find Turkey Deals

The best turkey deals generally come from warehouse clubs like Costco, BJs, and Sam’s Club. Grocery stores will offer competitive sale prices in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Watch for stores like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Stop & Shop, and more to advertise turkey discounts.

If you have a bit more flexibility on turkey size, buying a smaller or larger bird than the typical 12-16 pound range can also save money per pound. Stores tend to discount extra small and extra large turkeys.

Local butcher shops, farms, and farmers markets are also great options for finding deals if you don’t mind a frozen turkey. Their prices often beat grocery stores.

Factors Impacting Turkey Prices

Several key factors contribute to fluctuating turkey costs each year:

Turkey production – Turkey hatch rates and inventory impact availability and pricing. In 2022, turkey production is down about 3% due to disruptions from avian flu outbreaks. Lower inventory levels lead to higher prices.

Feed costs – Since turkeys are fed grains like corn and soy, increased costs for farmers to feed them drive up retail costs. Droughts, transportation costs, and Ukraine war impact grain supplies.

Processing costs – Labor shortages and inflation increase processing fees at turkey plants, increasing overall production costs.

Cold storage – Storing frozen turkeys can cost processors double typical costs due to soaring energy prices. This results in pricier birds.

Supply chain issues – Distribution disruptions make it more expensive to transport turkeys long distances for national grocers. Regional/local turkeys avoid some of these added costs.

Retailer promotions – Grocer discounts and loss leaders on turkeys help drive visits and purchases across other higher margin categories. This offsets some increased wholesale costs.

Historical Turkey Prices and 5 Year Trends

Over the past 5 years, the average price per pound for frozen turkeys has steadily risen. However, prices still remain reasonably affordable overall compared to historical ranges over the past decades when adjusted for inflation.

2022 – $1.99 per pound

2021 – $1.64 per pound

2020 – $1.20 per pound

2019 – $1.44 per pound

2018 – $1.40 per pound

Back in 1986, turkey prices hit a high of $1.82 per pound, which would equal about $4.83 per pound today when adjusted for inflation. Even during periodic avian flu outbreaks in 2015, per pound turkey prices only peaked at around $2.58 per pound in today’s dollars.

Buying a Turkey Breast vs Whole Bird

Another money-saving option is purchasing just a turkey breast instead of a whole bird if you have a smaller gathering. turkey breasts average $2.37 per pound compared to $1.99 for whole turkeys.

A 5-7 pound turkey breast feeds 5-7 people and costs $12-$17. Compared to a 15 pound whole turkey feeding 10 people for $30-$35, the per person cost can be lower with just the breast.

Make sure to calculate the exact cost per pound when comparing different sized birds and cuts. Weight ranges can vary substantially in advertising.

How Much Turkey to Buy Per Person

When estimating how many pounds of turkey to buy, plan for about 1-1.5 pounds per person. The lower end of the range works for appetizer-heavy feasts with lots of sides and other main entrees. Going with 1.5 pounds per guest ensures generous portions of leftovers.

Add an extra pound or two if you want ample extra turkey for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles after the main event. Distribute the turkey over 2 meals and you can stretch 1 pound per person even further.

If purchasing a whole turkey, allot for about a 15% waste factor for the bones and trimmings.

Should I Buy a Frozen or Fresh Turkey?

Besides the price difference, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing between fresh and frozen turkeys:

Taste – Most people can’t discern a noticeable taste difference between a thawed frozen turkey and a fresh one. Opt for whichever fits your budget.

Shelf life – Fresh turkeys only last 1-2 days in the fridge, while frozen can be stored 6+ months. Buy fresh only if cooking within 48 hours.

Thawing time – A frozen bird needs 3-5 days to thaw in the fridge compared to none for fresh.

Availability – Fresh turkeys sell out fast, so shop early. Frozen are available year-round.

Sales timing – Frozen turkeys go on sale weeks before Thanksgiving, while fresh deals start closer to the holiday.

Organic and Heritage Turkey Prices

Specialty organic and heritage breed turkeys come at a premium cost due to slower growth rates, higher feed costs, and lower yields. However, fans of these turkeys appreciate the differences in taste and texture.

Organic frozen turkeys range from $3.49 to $5.99 per pound at chains like Kroger, Albertsons, and Whole Foods. Fresh pasture-raised turkeys start around $4.99 per pound, with heritage breeds like Standard Bronze costing up to $9.99 per pound from local farms.

Kosher turkeys also command higher pricing due to specialized processing and oversight involved. You’ll typically spend $3.49 to $5.99 per pound when buying kosher birds.

How Much Do Small Turkeys Cost?

A small 8-12 pound turkey can be a smart choice for saving money if you only need to feed a few people. Average per pound prices for smaller birds run around:

• 8-10 pounds: $2.49 per pound
• 10-12 pounds: $1.87 per pound

At some grocers like Safeway, you can find frozen 8-10 pound turkeys for under $1.50 per pound occasionally.

Turkeys under 8 pounds are classified as fryer turkeys. These petite birds cook faster, but cost more around $3.99 per pound on average.

Average Prices for Turkey Parts

If preparing turkey parts instead of a whole bird, average per pound costs break down as:

• Boneless turkey breast: $4.98 per pound
• Bone-in turkey breast: $3.49 per pound
• Drumsticks: $1.92 per pound
• Wings: $3.68 per pound
• Thighs: $2.54 per pound
• Ground turkey: $4.21 per pound

Watch for bargains on turkey parts around the holidays. Prices are often discounted for drumsticks, wings, thighs to move inventory.

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