(NerdWallet) – If you’re looking for something to be grateful for, you can now include the cost of your Thanksgiving turkey on the list of things to be grateful for, in addition to the roof over your head and the gadget you’re reading this on.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which discovered that the average cost of an 8–16-pound turkey was $1, says that. 27 per pound in August 2023 — a 22% decline from August 2022. The U. S. Department of Agriculture likewise lists the average price per pound for frozen, whole hen turkeys as $1. 27 in August 2023 — down just over 22% from $1. 64 in August 2022.
Prices for some turkey products dropped more sharply. For example, boneless and skinless male turkey breasts were 23% less expensive in August 2020 than they were at the same time last year, according to the AFBF.
So, you’re wondering if you can snag a good deal on a turkey after Thanksgiving? You’re in luck! While the pre-Thanksgiving rush might be over, there are still opportunities to find a delicious bird at a discounted price. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of post-Thanksgiving turkey sales, exploring where to find them, what to expect, and how to score the best deals.
Fresh vs Frozen: A Tale of Two Turkeys
The type of turkey you’re after will significantly impact your post-Thanksgiving shopping experience. Let’s break down the differences:
Fresh Turkeys:
- Availability: These are more likely to be on sale after Thanksgiving as stores need to clear their inventory before the sell-by date.
- Price: You might find some good deals, especially at places like Kroger, where fresh turkeys were on sale for 49 cents a pound the day after Thanksgiving.
- Freezing: Fresh turkeys can be frozen for later use, making them a versatile option.
Frozen Turkeys:
- Availability: Frozen turkeys are generally more readily available than fresh ones after Thanksgiving.
- Price: While they might not be on sale, frozen turkeys are generally cheaper than fresh ones, even before Thanksgiving.
- Freezing: No need to worry about freezing these, as they’re already frozen!
Where to Find the Best Deals:
- Grocery Stores: Major grocery chains like Kroger, Publix, and Food Lion often have post-Thanksgiving turkey sales. Keep an eye out for circulars and online promotions.
- Wholesale Clubs: Places like Costco and Sam’s Club might offer bulk discounts on frozen turkeys.
- Local Markets: Don’t underestimate the power of your local butcher or farmer’s market. They might have fresh turkeys at competitive prices.
Top Tips for Savvy Shoppers:
- Shop Early: The best deals tend to be available right after Thanksgiving. Don’t wait too long, as the selection might dwindle.
- Compare Prices: Check out different stores and online retailers to find the best deals.
- Consider Size: “Hen-sized” turkeys (16 lbs and under) are harder to find after Thanksgiving. Be flexible with your size requirements.
- Think Ahead: If you have freezer space, consider buying a fresh turkey on sale and freezing it for later use.
Christmas Turkeys: A Special Case
While stores do stock up on turkeys for Christmas, the selection and prices might not be as good as those you’d find right after Thanksgiving. If you’re planning a Christmas turkey feast, consider buying a fresh turkey on sale after Thanksgiving and freezing it.
Beyond Thanksgiving: A Year-Round Turkey Adventure
Fresh whole turkeys are typically only available during the holiday season. However, you can still find turkey parts like breasts and thighs throughout the year. These can be a great option for smaller gatherings or weeknight meals.
So, is turkey cheaper after Thanksgiving? The answer is a resounding yes! With a little planning and savvy shopping, you can score a delicious turkey at a fraction of the pre-Thanksgiving price. Happy turkey hunting!
P.S. Have you ever gotten a turkey after Thanksgiving? Share your experience in the comments below!
How the avian flu could affect turkey availability
The supply chain involved in poultry production means that the timing of bird flu outbreaks influences the availability of specific varieties of turkeys, according to Martin.
Because producers can store frozen turkeys for up to a year before we see them on grocery shelves, Martin claims that there should be a “ample supply” of frozen turkeys. However, Martin says that because of the recent spike in influenza cases, fresh turkeys will be more difficult to find. That outbreak coincided with the end of the poultry industry’s “seasonal processing,” Martin says. Fresh turkeys should have been processed four to six weeks in advance if they were to be available in grocery stores by Thanksgiving.
The majority of the fresh stock has already been processed and is being kept refrigerated at this late date, according to Martin. “If you need a fresh bird, you should be ordering it now. Not later — now. ”.
Frozen turkeys are often cheaper than fresh turkeys. As of Nov. 3, the average cost of a frozen turkey is roughly $1.18 per pound in the northeastern U.S., compared to $1.69 per pound for fresh turkeys, according to the USDA’s most recent nationalturkeyretail report. (The USDA lists the prices of both fresh and frozen turkeys only in the northeast.)
Martin says that since small farms are unable to process and store turkeys as far back as larger producers can, you might not be able to get a fresh turkey from one this year.
“If you’re ordering from a local farm, you probably should’ve done it last month,” Martin says.
Below, you’ll find the listed online prices for frozen turkeys at several grocery stores. Note: Each product’s price per pound was checked in several U. S. cities, but prices may still vary in your area.
Target:
- $1.49 per pound: Butterball premium all-natural young turkey.
- Good, at 99 cents per pound.
Albertsons:
- $2.59 per pound: Butterball whole turkey.
- $2.49 per pound: Signature Farms whole turkey.
- $4. Signature Select fully cooked, hickory-smoked whole young turkey, $49.49 per pound
Publix:
- $69 cents per pound: Publix whole turkey Grade A.
- $2.99 per pound: Plainville whole turkey, raised without antibiotics.
Walmart:
- $1.28 per pound: Butterball premium whole turkey.
- 98 cents per pound: Shady Brook Farms whole young turkey.
Poultry industry ‘holding its breath’
In early 2022, what would become the largest bird flu outbreak in U.S. history started infecting wild and commercial flocks. Since then, it’s killed more than 60 million birds, and those shrinking supplies drove sharp increases in poultry and egg prices.
But the situation has improved. In September 2023, a little over 500 birds contracted the avian flu. That’s a dramatic decline from the same period one year earlier, when 8. 15 million birds contracted the flu, according to the AFBF.
“We’re holding our breath,” says Gregory P. Martin, an extension educator in poultry at Penn State University Extension, speaking about the broader poultry industry.
But while the situation is much better than last year, avian flu cases have started climbing again. There were 520 new avian influenza cases in September; in October, there were 1. 37 million new cases. So far in November, 1. 09 million new cases have been detected.
Good Question: Why are turkey prices lower this Thanksgiving?
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