Turkey shortages on horizon ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

DELMARVA – “Turkey prices will hit records highs this year,” Locklair said.

It may not be safe to refer to this Thanksgiving holiday as Turkey Day.

The cost of the staple item now up 23% from last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Yet, the task of finding one for your table this year may be even scarier than the price. “The USDA warmed about turkey production, and this has been the conversation for a period of time now. It’s for the rest of 2022 and then the first half of 2023,” Maryland Retailers Association President Cailey Locklair said.

A shortage isn’t the only concern. “Apparently turkeys are very susceptible to the Avian influenza, so that makes them even more at risk than other poultries like chickens and ducks that we eat,” Rosenkranz said.

University of Maryland Extension’s Ginny Rosenkranz says once the bird flu is detected on a farm it could potentially contaminate an entire flock. “You might only have like 10% who might have had it but it’s such a virulent virus that it goes through the entire flock very quickly. So has a precautionary measure they just get rid of the entire flock,” Rosekranz said.

A standard 16-pound turkey will cost you around $28.96 this year. according to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

If you’re looking to keep your holiday festive but not break the bank, those I spoke with say look to alternatives. “Or even chicken, I think chickens are wonderful. Ham is good too. Be creative,” Rosenkranz said.

The price of that turkey this year will make the average Thanksgiving dinner cost about 14% more than it did last year.