Turkey prices in California this season are the highest in the continental U.S.: Report

Californians are paying the highest price for turkey in the continental United States this holiday season, according to a new report studying average costs for the holiday staple at grocery stores nationwide.

At $2.66 per pound, California’s average prices were topped only by Hawaii and Alaska, according to an analysis published by FinanceBuzz.

“On the mainland, California has the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $39.85 in the Golden State,” the report concluded.

The same-size birds in Hawaii and Alaska would cost around $52.85 and $44.85, respectively.

Which states have the highest, lowest turkey prices this year?

Rounding out the top 10 list of priciest poultry were Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Nebraska, New York, Minnesota, and Georgia.

The cheapest turkeys in the nation could be found in Oklahoma, where the birds were averaging $1.32 per pound, or $19.75 for a 15-bound turkey.

Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and Indiana followed the Sooner State.

How do turkey prices compare to previous years?

This year’s prices were the lowest since 2022 when an outbreak of bird flu sparked worry in the industry and spiked prices across the U.S.

“Across the country, (a) 15-pound turkey cost an average of $31.16 ($2.08 per pound) in 2024, compared with $35.40 ($2.36 per pound) in 2023. That price reduction represents a price decrease of 12% from last year to now,” the report said.

The prices reflected in the report are based on Butterball-brand turkeys weighing between 12 and 26 pounds, according to FinanceBuzz. Prices were then calculated on a per-pounds basis and multiplied by 15 to represent 15-pound birds.

At least three grocery stores were surveyed in each state,

“In general, prices were obtained from regional, chain grocery stores with multiple locations in a state (rather than smaller individual companies) or prominent national chains,” the report stated.

How much turkey does the average American eat each year?

The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of turkey products “by far,” according to the National Turkey Federation.

The nation raised 216.5 million birds in 2021, amounting to about 5.6 billion pounds, the organization said. Americans consume 5.1 billion pounds, an average of 15.3 pounds per person.

California ranked eighth in turkey production in the U.S. at 6 million birds, led by Iowa, Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Minnesota, according to organization data.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California turkey prices are the highest in the continental U.S.

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel