|
NY Farm Bureau’s Annual Market Basket Survey Reveals 6
Percent Increase to Cost of Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner in NYS Compared
to Last Year
Published: November 15, 2023
at 01:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from NY Farm Bureau
NY FARM BUREAU MARKET BASKET SURVEY REVEALS INFLATION
STILL PUSHING UP OVERALL COST OF THANKSGIVING DINNER IN NEW YORK STATE
Informal survey reflects a nearly 6% price jump over 2022
New York Farm
Bureau’s 2023 Market Basket Survey shows the price of a traditional
Thanksgiving dinner saw a small increase compared to last year's meal. The
average total price, which includes a 16-pound turkey and other common
items found on a holiday dinner table, is $70.70, or about a six-percent
increase over last year’s price.
Our volunteer
shoppers recorded prices across the state between Nov. 5-10
and found turkey prices averaged $2.12 per pound, which is 23 cents
per pound more than last year’s average price in this informal survey. This
price is higher than the national average of $1.71/lb. As we move
closer to Thanksgiving, turkey prices may drop in the stores,
reflecting sales in the final days before the holiday.
The New York
numbers reveal price increases over last year in some additional
categories, including pumpkin pie mix and frozen green peas, but it also
shows some price decreases in other items like whipping cream and
fresh cranberries.
The Northeast was
the highest region in the country for food prices based on the national
American Farm Bureau Market Basket survey, largely attributed to the higher
costs of transportation, labor, and other inputs. Despite those increases,
very little of what a customer pays trickles down to the farmer.
Agricultural costs are only about 14% of the total food price with the
other 86% attributed to things like packaging, marketing, and labor.
On the positive
side, the price increases are far less than experienced last year when
prices had jumped 26% from 2021. It is also important to put the cost into
context. At $7.07 per person for a family of 10, New Yorkers still enjoy
one of the most affordable food supplies in the world.
This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and
Education Committee and is part of the national effort with the American
Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 38th annual informal national price
survey found the average national cost of this year’s feast is $61.17,
or $9.53 less than New York’s number. This is, in part, attributed to the
competitive nature of grocery store markets and perhaps better promotional
pricing in other regions of the country. More information about the
national survey can be found at www.fb.org.
“New Yorkers
continue to see prices creep up at the grocery stores, though at a much
smaller pace than the previous couple of years. One thing they can count on
is that our food supply remains strong, despite the inflationary
pressure. Farmers understand this challenge. Input costs to
produce food remain high as well, but farmers and farmworkers are doing all
they can to grow the best food in the most efficient way possible to help
New Yorkers put food on their tables this holiday season and year-round,” said
Bill Zalakar, Long Island farmer and chair of the
New York Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee.
New York Farm Bureau
encourages shoppers to compare prices to find the best deals, including
using in-store apps to find coupons. It is also a good idea to explore
store brands and frozen options that may be cheaper than fresher
alternatives.
|
Market Basket
Survey Comparison
|
2023 Average
Price
|
2022 Average
Price
|
|
Frozen,
Self-Basting Turkey 16 lb.
|
$33.92
|
$30.31
|
|
Herb-seasoned
cube stuffing 14oz.
|
$4.28
|
$4.03
|
|
Enriched Brown
& Serve Rolls 12 oz./12 per pkg.
|
$4.37
|
$4.42
|
|
Gallon of Whole
Milk
|
$3.92
|
$3.86
|
|
Frozen Green
Peas 16oz. pkg.
|
$2.40
|
$1.94
|
|
Libby’s Pumpkin
Pie Mix 30oz. can
|
$4.27
|
$3.87
|
|
9 in. frozen
pie shell
|
$4.43
|
$3.72
|
|
Whipping Cream
½ pint carton
|
$1.84
|
$2.66
|
|
Carrot/Celery
Veggie Tray
|
$1.12
|
$1.09
|
|
Sweet Potatoes
3 lb.
|
$3.57
|
$3.66
|
|
Package of
Fresh Cranberries
|
$2.63
|
$2.70
|
|
Miscellaneous
Ingredients
|
$3.95
|
$4.13
|
|
Classic
Thanksgiving Total
|
$70.70
|
$66.39
|
New York Farm Bureau does not make any statistical
claims about the survey data, but it is a useful gauge of price trends
across New York and the country for shoppers who look to compare prices.
-30-
New York Farm
Bureau is the State’s largest agricultural lobbying/trade organization. Its
members and the public know the organization as “The Voice of New York
Agriculture.” New York Farm Bureau’s mission is “Supporting today’s
agricultural needs and creating member opportunities for tomorrow through
advocacy and education.”
|
