By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Shoppers can expect to find plenty of turkeys at grocery stores this Thanksgiving, although prices are running slightly higher than last year.

U.S. turkey farmers raised about 198.5 million turkeys in 2026, a 3% increase from last year, said Leslie Odin, president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation.

“We’re very confident in the supply of turkeys for grocery stores for the holiday,” Odin told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “Despite the animal health challenges and overall challenges of the industry, our growers and processors have remained very resilient this year. We see Thanksgiving going off with a great success with a lot of turkey availability across the U.S.”

The increase marks the first growth in the number of turkeys raised since 2023, following two years of declining production.

“We’ve produced more turkey this year than last year,” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economist Dr. David Anderson said. “There’s going to be plenty of turkeys. We’ve been very fortunate not to be plagued by as much Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. We’re going to find plenty of turkeys in the store.”

While supplies have improved, retail prices for conventional frozen whole turkeys remain slightly higher.

Anderson said national grocery store data shows turkeys weighing less than 16 pounds averaging $1.19 per pound, compared to $0.93 per pound last year.

Turkeys weighing more than 16 pounds are averaging $1.18 per pound, up from $0.92 in 2025.

However, shoppers may find savings through holiday promotions.

Grocery stores often discount whole turkeys to attract customers purchasing other holiday groceries. Some retailers are already advertising frozen turkeys for less than $1 per pound.

Anderson encouraged shoppers to watch for sales, coupons and other promotions as Thanksgiving approaches.

“If we look at prices for conventional frozen whole turkeys, the ones that certainly a lot of us buy, so far prices are running a little higher than a year ago, but not a lot,” Anderson said.

Although Texas is no longer among the nation’s leading turkey-producing states, it remains an important market for turkey consumption. Odin said the state’s warmer temperatures are less conducive to turkey production, but demand remains strong.

“Turkey is one of the biggest marketplaces in Texas, just from the sheer barbecue restaurants that are across the state,” Odin said. “Texans love their turkey and we see it as a huge market for us, especially when it comes to turkey breast products.”

Americans consume about 30 million turkeys during Thanksgiving and another 15 million during Christmas, according to the National Turkey Federation. Odin said a 15- to 18-pound turkey is generally enough to feed a family of four to six.

Strong consumer demand has helped the turkey industry recover from two years of losses, but disease risks and higher feed costs continue to challenge growers. But farmers are committed to raising healthy birds and meeting consumer demand.

“Our producers are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met,” Odin said. “We’re very grateful that they get up every day and tend their flocks and bring healthy turkeys to market so that we can meet the ever-growing consumer demand.”