Nebraskans and Americans around the nation are preparing for Thanksgiving, but at what cost? According to Jay Rempe, Senior Economist at the Nebraska Farm Bureau, avian influenza and high inflation levels are making this year’s Turkey Day a much more expensive affair than last year’s.
“Turkey prices are up 17 percent, but potatoes are up 15 percent. Cornmeal, if you’re going to use it for your stuffing, is 17 percent. Fruits and vegetables are about the same. Everything seems to be right in that 15-to-17-to-20 percent range right now, compared to last year,” Rempe told KLIN News. Rempe continued, saying that inflation, which includes higher gas and processing costs for deliveries to stores, is a significant factor in the steep prices of this year’s annual dinner.
Avian influenza reducing the number of turkeys in flocks is another reason why Americans may be tightening their belts after the holiday, even as they plan on loosening them after dinner. With less supply and no less demand, people should expect to pay more for the fall favorite.
The good news for Nebraskans is that local residents will still likely pay less than Americans on the east and west coast. Rempe says this could be for a few reasons.
“Our inflation always kind of runs a bit behind the coasts,” said Rempe. “Things are just a little more expensive out there. Plus, in terms of Thanksgiving dinner and food, that’s what we produce here in Nebraska and the Midwest, and so the transportation costs aren’t as high.”