Marylanders may notice a slight relief at the checkout counter as they prepare for Thanksgiving this year. A Farm Bureau survey reveals that the average cost of a traditional holiday feast for 10 people is $58.08, or about $5.80 per person. This represents a 5% drop compared to Thanksgiving 2023.

While the decrease is welcome news, the cost of a Thanksgiving meal remains 19% higher than in 2019, underscoring the lasting effects of inflation on both food prices and farmers’ expenses. The survey recorded its highest-ever cost in 2022, when the meal for 10 reached $64.06.

The turkey, a staple of most Thanksgiving tables, played a significant role in lowering this year’s costs. A 16-pound turkey now averages $25.67, or $1.68 per pound—a 6% decline from last year.

“Despite the significant pressures facing our farmers, they continue working tirelessly to provide the local food that sustains our communities,” said Jamie Raley, President of Maryland Farm Bureau. “We encourage Marylanders to support the hardworking men and women in agriculture.”

Agriculture remains Maryland’s largest commercial industry, home to over 12,500 farms that cover almost 2 million acres. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state is home to more than 220 turkey farms, which have nearly doubled their production over the past five years, raising over 100,000 turkeys annually. Much of this growth is attributed to the increasing consumer demand for locally sourced food.

Farm Bureau’s long-running survey offers a consistent record of holiday meal costs, using the same classic menu since 1986 to enable year-over-year comparisons.

Individual prices from the survey:

• 16-pound turkey: $25.67 or $1.68 per pound (down 6.1%)
• 14-ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $4.08 (up 8.2%) 
• 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.40 (down 2.9%)
• Half pint of whipping cream: $1.81 (up 4.7%)
• 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.73 (down 8.1%)
• 1 dozen dinner rolls: $4.16 (up 8.4%)
• Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.75 (down 5.1%)
• 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.15 (down 6.5%)
• 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.21 (down 14.3%)
• 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $2.93 (down 26.2%)
• 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $.84 (down 6.4%)
• 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.35 (up 11.8%)

For more details and insights from the survey, visit the American Farm Bureau Federation’s website.