Hoosiers Can Expect Lower Prices This Thanksgiving Compared to Last Year

The price for a whole turkey has decreased about 21 percent from last Thanksgiving.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers can expect lower prices at the grocery store this Thanksgiving compared to last year.

According to Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving market basket survey, Hoosier shoppers can expect to spend approximately 10 percent less at the grocery store than in 2022.

Hoosiers are paying an average of $54.64 for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people, or $5.46 per person.

According to INFB Chief Economist Todd Davis, the main driver of the decrease is the lower cost of the turkey. This year, shoppers can expect to pay approximately $1.38 per pound for a whole turkey, or $22.11 for a 16-pound bird, which is a decrease of about 21% from 2022. This is largely due to the dramatic reduction in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the United States, specifically the Midwest, which produces the most turkeys.

The total market basket price of $54.64 includes a 16-pound turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, a carrot and celery veggie tray, whole milk, cranberries, whipping cream, ingredients for pumpkin pie and miscellaneous baking items.

Over half of the items in the market basket are less expensive for Hoosiers than last year, most notably the turkey, whipping cream and cranberries. There were some items that increased in price. The largest percentage price increase was for pumpkin pie filling mix and frozen peas.

Only pumpkin pie filling, sweet potatoes, a veggie tray and cranberries are more expensive in Indiana this year than they are nationally. All other items on the shopping list came in equal or less than the national average, most notably the turkey, whole milk and pie shells. 

The INFB Thanksgiving market basket survey was conducted in early November by volunteer shoppers across the state who collected prices on specific food items from one of their local grocery stores. Volunteer shoppers were asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals. Indiana’s survey was completed in conjunction with a national survey administered by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

More details about AFBF’s national Thanksgiving market basket results can be found here.