Arizona Farm Bureau blames supply chain for increased Thanksgiving costs

PHOENIX – As Arizonans get ready to sit down at the table this Thanksgiving holiday, it’s going to cost more than in years past for the traditional feast.

The Arizona Farm Bureau reports a 5% difference in the amount of money Arizonans are forking over for the bird and all the fixings.

According to this year’s report, the turkey dinner with all the trimmings will cost $49.62 for an Arizona family of 10 – an overall increase of $2.60 from last year.

The most substantial cost increase reported this year from the Arizona Farm Bureau comes down to the turkey.

The cost of a 16-pound turkey in Arizona is $19.40, a 32% price hike from $14.08 last year.

What’s causing this year’s price increase? The Arizona Farm Bureau said it’s the supply chain.

“A lot of it is caused by the supply chain, and it can start at the farm gate,” Outreach Director with the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Julie Murphree told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

She went on to note fuel and energy costs are also hitting historic levels, which are driving up the costs food production farmers face.

“If you look at the average food dollar, the farmer gets about eight cents of that dollar,” Murphree said. “The other 92 cents is going into the marketing, the transportation and all the other costs that it takes to bring food to you and I.”

Despite the increase in costs, there is some good news. The report does not include store coupons or specials, so there are still ways for Arizonans to cut costs this year.

The Arizona Farm Bureau survey shopping list includes holiday favorites like the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, milk, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty of leftovers.

The list is similar to what the Farm Bureau survey used for the past two decades in order to make a proper comparison.

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