Price of Thanksgiving Turkey Spikes in Texas

Celebrating a traditional Thanksgiving this year? Be prepared to pay more when it comes to the main dish, the turkey. According to experts, the cost of a turkey this year is up big in Texas and it doesn't look like prices are coming down anytime soon.

Prices Spike For Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey prices are up about 70% from last year according to Texas A&M Agrilife. That 70% increase is on wholesale prices of whole turkey's. The reason for the increase in price? According to the report, bird flu and lower overall turkey production have reduced supplies and led to higher prices.

Prices on Other Items Lower Than Last Year

The good news for those cooking Thanksgiving this year? The price of other items, including eggs is down.

Eggs were $1.60 per large dozen compared to $3.30 for the same dozen last year, a 51.5% decline, Anderson said.

Dairy products like milk, butter and cheddar cheese have also experienced a sharp price decline because of higher production, he said. The U.S. dairy herd hit its highest number since the 1990s, and the nation’s 9.5 million milk cows are producing 28 pounds more milk per cow per year than they did last year.

Sadly, potatoes cost more this year than last year and cranberries are also slightly higher this year. On the hand, a Thanksgiving ham is about the same price unless it's a spiral cut which is running higher this year.

Overall, expect to pay more at the grocery store this Thanksgiving. Unless you ditch the turkey, then you might save some money. And the closer we get to Thanksgiving, the more likely it is that there would specials on certain items.