Turkey Prices Soar Amidst Bird Flu Outbreak and Global Supply Chain Challenges
A perfect harvest for one farmer, Larry Doll's Old Brick Farm in Michigan, has been overshadowed by the turbulent turkey industry nationwide. This Thanksgiving season, many stores are offering discounted or even free turkeys to soften the blow of skyrocketing prices - up a whopping 44% this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Doll's small farm was fortunate to avoid two major diseases that have decimated flocks across the country: bird flu and avian metapneumovirus. This allowed him to sell all 92 turkeys he raised at $6.50 per pound, with customers praising their taste as some of the best ever.
However, Doll's success is not representative of the larger industry. The US turkey flock has shrunk to a 40-year low this year, with hatcheries offering fewer chicks than usual. This shortage has led to increased wholesale prices for turkeys, making them more expensive for consumers.
Grocery chains are responding by offering deals on Thanksgiving staples. Aldi's $40 meal for 10 people and Kroger's under-$50 menu of store-brand products aim to attract shoppers despite the rising costs. President Donald Trump recently touted Walmart's Thanksgiving meal basket as 25% cheaper, but this was due to a different assortment and fewer products overall.
Experts attribute the sharp increase in wholesale turkey prices to avian viruses and increased consumer demand for other meats that have become more expensive. Beef prices were up 14% in September compared to last year, with some consumers opting for alternative proteins like steak cuts at significantly higher prices.
Tariffs on imported steel and aluminum are also contributing to price hikes, as companies pass on the full cost of tariffs to customers. Jellied cranberry sauce costs have increased by 38%, while pumpkin pie mix has seen a 5% decrease due to favorable weather conditions in Illinois.
As consumers navigate the complex turkey market, some farmers like Doll are benefiting from their focus on quality and customer service. For others, the industry challenges pose significant hurdles to profitability.
A perfect harvest for one farmer, Larry Doll's Old Brick Farm in Michigan, has been overshadowed by the turbulent turkey industry nationwide. This Thanksgiving season, many stores are offering discounted or even free turkeys to soften the blow of skyrocketing prices - up a whopping 44% this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Doll's small farm was fortunate to avoid two major diseases that have decimated flocks across the country: bird flu and avian metapneumovirus. This allowed him to sell all 92 turkeys he raised at $6.50 per pound, with customers praising their taste as some of the best ever.
However, Doll's success is not representative of the larger industry. The US turkey flock has shrunk to a 40-year low this year, with hatcheries offering fewer chicks than usual. This shortage has led to increased wholesale prices for turkeys, making them more expensive for consumers.
Grocery chains are responding by offering deals on Thanksgiving staples. Aldi's $40 meal for 10 people and Kroger's under-$50 menu of store-brand products aim to attract shoppers despite the rising costs. President Donald Trump recently touted Walmart's Thanksgiving meal basket as 25% cheaper, but this was due to a different assortment and fewer products overall.
Experts attribute the sharp increase in wholesale turkey prices to avian viruses and increased consumer demand for other meats that have become more expensive. Beef prices were up 14% in September compared to last year, with some consumers opting for alternative proteins like steak cuts at significantly higher prices.
Tariffs on imported steel and aluminum are also contributing to price hikes, as companies pass on the full cost of tariffs to customers. Jellied cranberry sauce costs have increased by 38%, while pumpkin pie mix has seen a 5% decrease due to favorable weather conditions in Illinois.
As consumers navigate the complex turkey market, some farmers like Doll are benefiting from their focus on quality and customer service. For others, the industry challenges pose significant hurdles to profitability.
. I mean, 44% price hike is crazy, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner. It's not just the turkeys though, other stuff like cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie mix are getting hit too. And what's really interesting is how some farmers like Larry Doll are doing okay because they focus on quality, but it's a tough market for those who can't adapt 
. I'm hoping that with all these deals and discounts, people will be able to still have a decent Thanksgiving without breaking the bank 
. But at the same time, it's hard not to think about how this reflects on the bigger picture - supply chain challenges and all that jazz 
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. It's not just about farmers like Larry Doll being lucky with their harvest, it's about how our country's trade policies are affecting everyone from consumers to small businesses.
. It's like we're playing a game of economic whack-a-mole, where every time we think we've fixed one problem, another issue pops up. Meanwhile, farmers like Doll are doing just fine because they're focused on quality and customer service, but the bigger picture is that this shortage is going to impact low-income families who can't afford to splurge on fancy turkey dinners.
. We need to rethink our trade policies and find ways to support American farmers who are working hard to put food on the table for their communities. Anything less is just a handout to big corporations and wealthy investors 
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. Like, can't we just have a decent meal without breaking the bank? The prices are through the roof right now! 44% is crazy talk 
. I mean, who has that kind of cash to throw around on one turkey? And don't even get me started on the farmers who are actually doing it right and selling their turkeys for actual prices 
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. Like, come on companies, pass on that cost already! We're not made of money 
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, but at the same time it's making some farmers like Larry Doll really lucky 
. The fact that there's so much demand for turkey and beef right now is making it hard for people to afford traditional Thanksgiving meals 
. Maybe it's a good idea for everyone to consider alternative proteins like steak or try some delicious plant-based options 
?
At least Doll's farm got lucky and his turkeys were in demand, but what about the smaller farms and all the people relying on them for their livelihoods? It's just not right. And don't even get me started on the cranberry sauce... 38%?! That's insane! 
- it's like, can't we just let companies pass on some of the costs instead of piling everything onto consumers? 
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. It's interesting that President Trump was touting Walmart's Thanksgiving meal basket as cheaper, but it's likely just a matter of the old adage "you get what you pay for". Meanwhile, farmers like Larry Doll who are focused on quality and customer service are reaping the benefits 
And what's up with all these discounts and "deals" from grocery chains? Sounds like they're trying to make up for lost revenue elsewhere. Walmart's meal basket being 25% cheaper is suspiciously specific... did they really sell a whole different menu for that price? 
but let's be real, we're all just gonna end up eating more pizza than turkey this thanksgiving 
. But it's wild how a single farmer can be affected by the bigger picture - the US turkey flock is at an all-time low this year, and prices are through the roof 
. Aldi and Kroger's offerings sound pretty solid, especially if you're looking for affordable options. And I love that experts are pointing out that farmers who focus on quality and customer service can actually benefit from all this chaos 
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It's crazy that prices have gone up 44% this year! On one hand, Larry Doll's farm is killing it (no pun intended) by selling all his turkeys at a good price. But I'm sure he's not alone in facing challenges.
Aldi and Kroger are trying to make Thanksgiving more affordable for people, which is really cool. The government should probably look into supporting these farmers more, maybe with subsidies or something? 
! Larry Doll's story is so inspiring - who wouldn't want to sell turkeys for $6.50 a pound? 
#Sustainability #SupportLocalFarmers