ILLINOIS THANKSGIVING DINNER COSTS MIRROR NATIONAL TREND OF DECLINING PRICES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 19, 2025
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Thanksgiving dinner prices in Illinois are continuing to ease, mirroring the national trend price declines for a third straight year highlighted in the 40th annual American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Thanksgiving Cost Survey.
The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the national average cost of Thanksgiving staples that make up a classic holiday feast for 10, which is $55.18 or about $5.52 per person, a 5% decrease from 2024. Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) volunteer shoppers participating in the survey reported a state-wide average price of $49.20 for a classic holiday feast for 10, or around $4.92 per person.
“Gathering around the table with family and friends during the holidays remains an important tradition in many households,” said IFB President Brian Duncan. “While the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal has eased in recent years, families are still feeling the effects of the dramatic price spikes we’ve seen.
He added, “Three years of modest declines have not fully erased the impact of those historic increases. Like consumers, farmers are price takers and don’t determine the prices set at the grocery store, yet they continue to face historically high input costs, uncertainty in global markets and prolonged periods of low commodity prices. Illinois farmers continue to advocate for solutions to address the challenging farm economy and permanent, enforceable trade agreements to provide long-term certainty for farmers.”
The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – dramatically decreased in price, which helped bring down the overall cost of dinner. The average price for a 16-pound frozen turkey in Illinois is $18.03.
AFBF reported that, while the wholesale price for fresh turkey is up from 2024, grocery stores are featuring Thanksgiving deals and attempting to draw consumer demand back to turkey, leading to lower retail prices for a holiday bird.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers checked prices the first week of November, before grocery stores feature wholesale turkeys at even lower prices in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data, the average per-pound feature price for whole frozen turkeys declined further during the second week of November.
“It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal,” said AFBF Economist Faith Parum, Ph.D. “Farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks that were devastated by avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen. The combination will help ensure turkey will remain an affordable option for families celebrating Thanksgiving.”
The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, all in quantities sufficient for 10 servings.
More information and data on the national average cost of Thanksgiving dinner can be accessed at this link via AFBF.
“We are blessed to live in a country that is capable of producing such an abundant food supply, and for that we should be thankful,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Despite modest declines in the cost of a Thanksgiving meal, I know food prices are a real concern for many families, including in rural America. We urge Congress to address the challenging economic conditions facing farmers to ensure farm families can continue growing the food we all rely on, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.”
The AFBF Thanksgiving Cost Survey was first conducted in 1986. The informal survey provides a record of comparative holiday meal costs over the years. Farm Bureau’s classic survey menu has remained unchanged since 1986 to allow for consistent price comparisons.
Illinois Individual Prices
16-pound turkey: $18.03 or $1.13 per pound (national average: $21.50 or $1.34 per pound)
14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $3.45 (national average: $3.71)
2 frozen pie crusts: $3.03 (national average: $3.37)
Half pint of whipping cream: $1.89 (national average: $1.87)
1 pound of frozen peas: $1.79 (national average: $2.03
1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.47 (national average: $3.56)
Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.22 (national average: $3.61)
30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.25 (national average: $4.16)
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.56 (national average: $3.73)
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.39 (national average: $4.00)
1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $1.24 (national average: $1.36)
12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $1.89 (national average: $2.28)
About Illinois Farm Bureau:
Founded in 1916, Illinois Farm Bureau – originally known as the Illinois Agricultural Association – is a nonprofit, grassroots membership organization. Illinois Farm Bureau and a statewide network of county Farm Bureaus give members an advantage through impactful advocacy, trusted information and meaningful development to support their careers and Illinois farm families.
Learn more about Illinois agriculture at www.ilfb.org. Connect with Illinois Farm Bureau on Facebook: Illinois Farm Bureau | Facebook, Instagram @ilfarmbureau, X @ILFarmBureau, or on TikTok @illinoisfarmbureau.
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