Thanksgiving Is Going To Be More Expensive This Year — And It's Not Just Because of Inflation Turkey prices are 73% higher this year than last and are likely to stay that way through the holiday season.

By Madeline Garfinkle Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The Good Brigade | Getty Images

Inflation has made nearly everything on grocery shelves more expensive, and with the holidays looming, some time-honored classics will likely be especially pricey this year.

Turkey is 73% more expensive this year than last, but the hike isn't just due to inflation. An ongoing outbreak of bird flu will likely make turkeys scarce and subsequently hike up prices even more, CNBC reported.

Bird flu usually spreads during colder months, but farmers reported an increasing number of cases dating back to July — the time when producers are typically breeding for the holiday season.

Related: Turkeys Could be in Short Supply Over the Holidays as Producers Warn They're Struggling to Keep Up With Demand, a Report Says

According to USDA data, 47.7 million birds across 42 states have been affected this year. The last outbreak was in 2015, with 50 million birds affected, a number this year's outbreak is quickly approaching and could surpass.

The impact of bird flu is catastrophic for turkey producers, as the best way to control the spread is to euthanize entire flocks, which typically consist of 15,000 birds.

"These viruses are occurring with a higher level of frequency," Walter Kunisch, a senior commodities strategist at Hilltop Securities, told CNBC. "It seems like this year the HPAI is more acute. It's certainly more widespread in terms of the geography."

Related: Survey Reveals Thanksgiving Food Costs Up 14 Percent

With millions of turkeys already affected, on top of other rising costs due to supply chain delays and inflation, prices are likely to stay high throughout the holiday season, making the Thanksgiving staple more of a luxury than a given.

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Business News

Fans of Costco's $1.50 Hot Dog Combo Are In for a Big Surprise

Costco CEO Ron Vachris announced a change that's coming soon to the company's food courts.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

How a Mindfulness Practice Can Help You Beat Tech Overwhelm

This article explores how mindfulness can transform your tech choices, ensuring technology serves your business goals without adding unnecessary complexity.

Business News

Uber's CEO Says Drivers Have About 10 Years Left Before They Will Be Replaced

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the jobs of human drivers are safe for the next decade, but after that, another type of driver will take over.