- An expert says inflation and avian flu are two main reasons why turkey will cost more this year.
- According to reports, the Avian Flu has been reported in 42 states. It killed almost 7.3 million turkeys by 2022.
- The holiday season will see record-high prices.
For home cooks who wish to make turkey the main course of their Thanksgiving feast, it will be more difficult and more costly to source this star protein.
In a September interview Thomas Elam is a specialist in the poultry industryA virus that causes avian influenza to infect turkeys could cause record-breaking prices for Thanksgiving.
Elam said that the interviewer had heard about major effects on turkey production and egg manufacturing, as well as minor impacts on broiler production. “And there’s been general price inflation in wages, salaries, energy and all of these are impacting our retail food sector.”
According to the New York Times Both farmers and processors are experiencing supply shortages, drought, and have to pay more fuel, feed, labor, or material.
Elam said that this year’s outbreak of avian flu is much more serious than the 2015 strain. According to the Department of Agriculture and others, the outbreak has already killed 7.3 million turkeys in America. Watt Global Media.
The avian influenza has been reported in 42 States in 2022As the holiday season nears, it continues to grow.
Elam predicts that Thanksgiving will not be the only holiday filled with more expensive food. Elam said that Christmas will not be any different.
Elam stated that the combination of higher wholesale and retail prices, as well as the higher cost of everything the grocer buys, would suggest that there will be record-breaking retail turkey prices at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Elam explained that while the higher price is indicative of a smaller turkey population this Thanksgiving season; however, Elam was certain that the birds will not become completely unobtainable.
Elam stated that he believes anyone can afford to pay higher prices at retail stores to get a turkey.
The Current price for a Butterball turkey weighing between 10 and 16 poundsWalmart: $24.07
