Families shopping for the centerpiece of their Thanksgiving dinner may be in for a surprise when they see this year’s turkey prices.
Turkey producers across the United States are facing higher expenses, prompting some farms to raise what they charge. One family-run operation in New Jersey has added 30 cents to its price per pound.
Wholesale turkey prices nationwide have climbed 12 percent this year, according to Fox Business.
At DiPaola Turkey Farms in Hamilton, New Jersey, owner Artie DiPaola said the 78-year-old business has been squeezed by increasing feed and operating costs, leaving it with little choice but to pass part of that burden to customers.
Feed has become one of the farm’s biggest challenges, with the cost of corn and soybeans rising between 10 and 12 percent.
Those increases have contributed to the farm’s 30-cent-per-pound price hike at a time when households are preparing their Thanksgiving shopping lists.
DiPaola said raising prices was particularly painful because of the close connection the farm has developed with generations of returning customers.
‘The production costs are all up wherever we look,’ he said.
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‘The cost is rising and having to raise the price 30 cents to these loyal customers is very emotional.’
Stronger demand has helped the farm absorb at least some of the financial pressure.
‘Fortunately, the increased sales help offset some of the rising costs that we’re experiencing daily,’ DiPaola said.
Still, the broader picture for Thanksgiving shoppers is more complicated, since different measures of turkey pricing are telling different stories.
The Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute’s 2026 Thanksgiving food report estimates that a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10, including dessert, will cost $78.93, a 0.4 percent drop year over year, or about $7.89 per person.
Six of the 10 products included in the report’s sample basket are cheaper than they were a year ago. Cranberries have fallen 6.6 percent, while frozen vegetables are down 4.2 percent.
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Other staples, including pumpkin pie, gravy mix and mashed potatoes, have moved slightly higher.
The figures illustrate why wholesale costs, prices set by individual farms and supermarket deals can look very different from one another.
A separate survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation also underscores that distinction between producer prices and what shoppers see in stores.
Its 2026 survey found that a 16-pound frozen turkey costs an average of $21.50, or $1.34 per pound, representing a 16.3 percent decrease from last year.
The organization noted that fresh turkey remained more expensive at the wholesale level, while supermarket promotions were helping reduce the price of frozen birds for consumers.
At DiPaola Turkey Farms in Hamilton, New Jersey, owner Artie DiPaola says the birds’ diet is a particular pressure point, with corn and soybeans costing 10 to 12 percent more
That increase has helped push the farm’s prices up by 30 cents per pound just as families prepare to stock their refrigerators for Thanksgiving. Pictured, DiPaola Turkey Farms
Supermarkets often mark down turkeys to attract shoppers, so a promotional store price may bear little resemblance to the amount charged by a local farm.
Consumers looking to save could benefit from checking offers at both supermarkets and nearby turkey producers before making a purchase.
Comparing the cost per pound is also important, as the overall price can be misleading when birds are different sizes.
Families can further reduce holiday expenses by organizing side dishes in advance and inviting guests to contribute food.
Money-saving expert Andrea Woroch has recommended a potluck-style Thanksgiving, noting that asking friends and relatives to bring a dish can make the gathering more affordable.
Sharing the cooking and shopping could ease the host’s workload while ensuring there is still plenty of food for everyone.
With Thanksgiving scheduled for November 26 this year, shoppers have time to compare prices and watch for promotions before the holiday arrives.
National data may provide some relief for consumers, but DiPaola’s experience shows that family farms supplying Thanksgiving tables continue to feel the impact of rising production costs.
