Thanksgiving Turkeys Will Be More Expensive This Year

On november 21st President Joe Biden performed one of the more peculiar presidential duties. Upon his return from the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, Mr Biden pardoned the two Thanksgiving turkeys in an annual ceremony that has been a tradition since Ronald Reagan’s days in office. The spared specimens are sent to farms or universities, where they are left in peace for the rest of their natural lives.

Such clemency looks generous in a time of sky-high inflation. Food prices have risen sharply...

SuperMeat Reimagines Famous Moist Maker Sandwich with First Ever Cultivated Turkey

Just in time for Thanksgiving, the company known for its cultivated chicken unveils a turkey cold cut produced without harming a single turkey

SuperMeat, a foodtech company working to supply the world with high-quality cultivated meat, today announced that it has made the first ever cultivated turkey, introduced via the most famous Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich in the world, the Moist Maker. The sandwich consists of all the classic leftovers from the big meal, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy – paired with the first ever cultivated turkey...

Pre-Report Estimates for Oct Cold Storage Show Total Stocks 13.2% Above Year Ago

USDA will release its monthly cold storage report at 3 p.m. eastern time Tuesday. Bob Brown, a private analyst from Edmond, Oklahoma, provided his insight on what the latest report might show...

This Week in Retail: Good Gravy… The 2022 Thanksgiving Rundown

The countdown to Thanksgiving is winding down and consumers are flocking to the supermarkets to secure last-minute needs for the big day.

While it’s hard to ignore the influx of headlines about the higher costs of this year’s feast, some major retailers are still featuring attractive deals on holiday staples despite supply constraints and macroeconomic headwinds. 

Gobble Gobble…

Not to beat a dead horse (or should we say turkey), let’s look another look at the traditional centerpiece. Retail buying opportunities for turkey this week are at 24.5%, up from 21.5% last week. The big bird has seemingly stolen the spotlight from chicken, which plummeted to 2.4% this week versus 12.5% a week ago...

Farm Bureau: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20%

Farm Bureau's 37th annual survey reveals the average cost of this year's classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $64.05, less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 or 20% increase from last year's average of $53.31.

The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That's $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, due to several factors beyond general inflation. Farm Bureau "volunteer shoppers" checked prices Oct. 18-31, before most grocery store chains... 

Kroger Promises a Thanksgiving Fresh for Everyone

The Kroger Co., America's grocer, today shared its efforts to cushion customers from the impacts of inflation as they prepare holiday meals, including a zero-compromise shopping guide with meal options that can feed 10 people for as little as $5 per person. The grocer, who estimates the cost of turkey has risen 20 cents per pound this year, will not shift the rising cost to customers.

"At Kroger, we are committed to making the holiday season memorable and accessible for everyone," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant...

ANALYSIS: Limited Supply and Record Prices Reduce Turkey Ad Exposure

With just two short weeks to go before the Thanksgiving tables are set, turkey processors are in high gear as they work to box and ship fresh bird obligations and make a wholehearted attempt to fulfill any last-minute needs that might arise...

This Week in Retail: Busy Shoppers Seek Convenience; Inflation Eased in October

Busy shoppers are increasingly seeking convenience during the hectic holiday season. This typically increases sales at food service and boosts interest in the prepared and frozen sections at retail.  

The meat case is receiving lots of attention, too, as grocers heavily promote traditional holiday items including ham and turkey. 

The National Retail Federation expects overall holiday spending this year to perform well despite ongoing inflationary pain points. The NRF projects holiday retail sales during November and December to grow between 6% to 8% year-over-year. Last year's holiday sales hit a new high at $889.3 billion, lifted in part by pandemic spending.

This week in retail, pork features climbed to the number one spot in retail buying opportunities with 23.2%. Beef closely follows with about 22%. Turkey features have swelled to 19.1%, compared to just 6.4% the week prior. Chicken ads chime in at 13.7%, while egg features have seen a slight uptick to...

Fresh Pork Prices Drift Lower as Ample Chicken Supply Offsets Pork/Beef Decline

Fresh pork prices continue to be pressured lower due to increased competition from chicken breasts at retail and seasonal decline in demand.

Highlights

• Fresh pork prices continue to be pressured lower due to increased competition from chicken breasts at retail and seasonal decline in demand.
• Market for processing items is mixed. Pork belly prices are rangebound on higher seasonal supply and ample freezer inventories. Expectations are for belly prices to be higher in Q1 as supply will seasonally decline and processors will start to build inventories for...

Meijer Ready for Thanksgiving with Bountiful Turkey Supply

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Meijer is stocked and ready with traditional turkeys, as well as non-traditional entrees to appeal to everyone around the table.

The Midwest retailer wants its customers to know it has a wide selection of competitively priced turkeys but encourages them not to wait too long to make their purchase.

Customers can purchase Meijer brand frozen turkeys for 55 cents per pound through Nov. 26.

The retailer is offering a vast selection of fresh, frozen and organic birds to suit every household's preferences. Meijer brand fresh turkeys...

U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2 Million Jobs and $556 Billion in Economic Impact

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, and federal and state revenue in the United States. A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, the U.S. poultry industry provides 2,012,269 jobs, $125.6 billion in wages, $555.9 billion in economic activity and $33.7 billion in government revenue.

The study breaks down poultry into three subcategories...

Thanksgiving Turkey is on the Menu

With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, today the National Turkey Federation (NTF) shared helpful tips for Americans shopping for a turkey and preparing the Thanksgiving meal. NTF highlighted the robust availability of turkey products featured at retailers nationwide as well as its updated Thanksgiving 101, a comprehensive guide to preparing the holiday turkey.

“If you’re looking for a turkey product this Thanksgiving, you’ll be able to find one,” said Joel Brandenberger, NTF president. “There has been a lot of discussion about whether avian influenza or the general economy is going to affect this holiday...

Get Ready to Pay More for This Year’s Thanksgiving Turkey

The Ekonk Turkey Hill Farm grows about 4,000 pasture-raised turkeys but the co-owner and founder Rick Hermanot says the farm has been squeezed by soaring prices for baby turkeys, feed and fertilizer, the latter essential to the organic approach to raising the birds. (Douglas Hook)

Carving into the most classic of all holiday main courses this year — the Thanksgiving turkey — will first mean shoppers digging a lot deeper into their wallets before they gather around the family dinner table.

And finding just the right size bird for the...

ANALYSIS: Forward-Looking Hen Supplies: Fresh Faced, or Fresh Out?

With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, and given the exceptionally tight status of fresh pack turkey availability this time around, buyers who rely solely on the whims of the spot market are relinquishing themselves to the sidelines as they shift their attention to the road ahead...

Plan a Good4u Thanksgiving with Natural Grocers®

The beginning of November often signals the unofficial start to the excitement and preparation for the holiday season. Natural Grocers®, the largest family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer in the U.S., has all the fixings needed for a delicious, price-conscious, good4uSM holiday feast. With turkey pre-orders, scrumptious holiday recipes and over $749 worth of potential savings through November 26th, customers are invited to knock out some of the planning and save on premium-quality products that are sure to wow every guest at the table...

Jennie-O Turkey Store Thanksgiving 1-800-TURKEYS Hotline Opens Nov. 1

The makers of the JENNIE-O® turkey brand – the category leader of ground turkey products and a trusted brand for turkey products around the world – today announced the return of the JENNIE-O® 1-800-TURKEYS hotline on Nov. 1.

Back for the 15th consecutive year, the hotline offers consumers the chance to converse with the company's Minnesota-based consumer engagement team via phone, even during extended hours in the days leading up to and on the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition to the phone line, home...

This Week in Retail:  Turkey is the Talk of the Town

Now that November is within reach, the floodgates have opened for holiday campaigns. The protagonist of the show—turkey—has garnered widespread attention and snatched headlines this year as tight supplies and high prices could make procuring the Thanksgiving centerpiece more challenging. 

However, some retail outlets continue to utilize turkey as a loss leader and have already begun promoting minimum in-store spending deals for heavily discounted or free turkeys, along with hams and other staples for the holiday.

Consumer spending at retail this year is under question as household bills remain high in the face of inflation—forcing some consumers to reconfigure their budgets...

Butterball® Offers New Spin on Daily Support, Inspiration to Stressed Thanksgiving Hosts

America's most loved turkey brand announces return of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line™, extends 40+ years of Turkey Talk-Line expertise to limited-edition holiday calendars

Today, Butterball released the first-ever Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Comfort Calendar, a limited-edition calendar that provides Thanksgiving hosts 24 days of emotional support, practical tips and a whole lot of comfort. Limited quantities of the Comfort Calendars will be available Oct. 24-26 at ButterballComfortGiveaway.com. The daily tips and recommendations will also be available via Instagram beginning...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Hatch Figures Paint Mixed Picture

Between atypical fluctuations in demand, human and animal-borne disease, along with widespread labor and material shortages, players within the turkey industry are no stranger to an unpredictable market landscape...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Export Volume: Over, Under, Sideways, Down

Given the multitude of unique variables which have impacted the poultry industry over the past two years, traditional year-over-year (YoY) and month-over-month (MoM) comparisons have become increasingly difficult to gauge, and exports are no exception...

ANALYSIS: Motivating Factors Behind Record-Setting Turkey Values

Given the unshakable strength that key turkey lines continue to exhibit, we thought it would be a timely opportunity to quantify a few underlying factors which are playing an influential role on the current market backdrop...

Just Ahead of Thanksgiving, Record Turkey and Egg Prices Indicate Strain on Poultry Sector

The effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), inflation and more in turkey and other poultry markets

Fall has arrived and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. As many begin planning for the holiday meal, one of the questions being asked is, “Will there be enough turkeys to go around for Thanksgiving?” There are many factors fueling this question. High prices, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and inflation have garnered attention from consumers and media nationwide. This Market Intel will address the current issues influencing the turkey industry and what consumers can expect as we edge closer to Thanksgiving and beyond...

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Rebranding Focused on Shared Values, Future Goals of New Poultry Company

Wayne-Sanderson Farms has unveiled a new brand identity and logo following the recent merger of the two industry leaders. The company’s new identifying mark was designed to resonate the shared values and business objectives of what is now the third-largest poultry producer in the nation.

“It’s an exciting time for our company, our employees and our customers,” said Clint Rivers, Wayne-Sanderson Farms president and CEO. “Bringing two of the best companies in the business together positions us for more sustainable operations, more competitive...

ANALYSIS: The Mad Dash for Whole Body Birds

Now that Labor Day is in the rearview mirror, and with no food-centric holidays on the radar before Thanksgiving, it's a timely opportunity to shift our focus towards whole turkeys...

ANALYSIS: Dwindling Turkey Supply: A Consequence of Disease and Hatch

For buyers and sellers alike, 2022 is shaping up to be an extremely challenging year to successfully navigate...

JENNIE-O® Turkey Reigns as the Queen of Protein

The Jennie-O® brand, category leader and trusted brand for turkey products, is launching its "Queen of Protein" campaign to showcase the protein that reigns supreme — turkey. Throughout the campaign, JENNIE-O® turkey rules the "Queendom of Protein" where turkey is the elite protein.

The campaign personifies the fun that can accompany mealtimes — from celebrating daily life to special occasions — and encourages home cooks to win with turkey at every event from grilling to appetizers to meal prepping and more! JENNIE-O® turkey is more than just...

ANALYSIS: Tom Harvest Stymies Seasonal Buying Opportunities

For turkey market participants, especially those on the further processing and retail deli side of the business, this summer is shaping up to be anything but “routine”...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Remain Under the Weather

The latest export reading confirms what many players within the turkey industry already know: June was another lackluster month when it comes to outward movement...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Market Considerations

Given the ongoing strength that the turkey complex continues to exude here in early August, we thought it would be a good opportunity to dig down into some contributing factors which are playing a highly impactful role in shaping the current market landscape...

Analysis: Turkey Cold Storage Holdings Maintain Seasonal Stride in June

With the latest release of the USDA’s Cold Storage Report hot off the press, turkey market participants are eagerly digging into the figures as they assess the mid-year supply standing...

Grain Export Deal in Question Following Russian Missile Strike on Odesa Port 

On Friday, Ukraine and Russia signed a deal in Istanbul to allow the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea Ports.

Access to Ukraine's maritime ports had been blocked by Russian forces since the military invasion began in February.

The agreement was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations and is scheduled to be implemented in the next few weeks. Under the deal, up to 5 million metric tonnes of grain per month will be exported by shipping companies through safe passageways in Ukrainian waters. 

Millions of tons of grain exports have been stalled in Ukraine due to the war, pushing global food prices higher...

ANALYSIS: Tom Production Slump: A Sign of the Times

As the dust surrounding HPAI gradually settles, turkey market participants are scouring the production stats in an attempt to hone their purchasing and selling strategy for the remainder of the year...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Export Tonnage Gets Big Boost from Mexico

On a month-over-month (MoM) basis, total turkey export volume realized a notable leap in May...

ANALYSIS: Tom Breast Meat: It Ain’t Over 'Til...

During these volatile times it is important to maintain a sense of perspective on the market’s current standing relative to the historic norm...

Analysis: Turkey Cold Storage: One Foot On and One Foot Off the Seasonal Path

From a month-over-month (MoM) perspective, the most recent cold storage figures through the end of May, generally fall in line with the seasonally anticipated norm...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Thigh Meat Values Maintain Leg Up on Boneless Pork Hams

As we usher in the first days of summer, turkey market participants are consulting with the historic price charts as they attempt to refine their expectations for the season ahead...

Northern Tier Bakery, LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Northern Tier Bakery, LLC, a St. Paul Park, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 905 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The RTE salad items were produced from May 18, 2022, through June 8, 2022. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

4-oz. plastic packages of “SUPERMOM’S KITCHEN Chef Salad EGG, WHITE TURKEY MEAT, HAM, MONTEREY JACK...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Production Headwinds

With mid-year now upon us and given the generally quiet but extremely robust trade environment post-Memorial Day, we thought it would be a great opportunity to check in on several components which continue to play a highly influential role on the market and its values...

Analysis: Turkey Cold Storage: Plenty of Vacancy

In terms of total month-over-month (MoM) movement, the latest turkey inventory figures generally keep in line with that of the historic norm...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Breasts: To Debone or Not To Debone

During these unprecedented times when seasonality has taken a back seat to other more disruptive variables, it is important to maintain a sense of perspective on current market behavior...

ANALYSIS: Disease-Induced Decline in Total Monthly Turkey Exports

For those on the turkey side of the business, one of the most apparent implications of the HPAI outbreak has been the complications related to exports...

ANALYSIS: HPAI Triggers Turkey Price Break

If there is one segment that has commanded the near-universal attention of turkey market participants lately, it has to be the parts complex...

Statement on HPAI in Jennie-O Turkey Store Supply Chain

Jennie-O Turkey Store announced today that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in its supply chain. The issue currently involves one farm operation in Minnesota.

Migratory waterfowl have been the primary carriers of HPAI, ultimately exposing domestic poultry to the virus. While farms supplying turkeys to Jennie-O Turkey Store have not had any confirmed cases until now, many regions, producers and companies have been impacted since February. Cases have included numerous chicken and turkey commercial farms, as well as smaller backyard flocks...

ANALYSIS: January Turkey Exports: A Rocky Start to the Year

The latest export figures paint a topsy turvy picture with some destinations doubling down on their US turkey consumption when compared to December, while others back away from their anticipated seasonal expectations...

Jennie-O Shares National Survey Results Showing How Americans Feel About Cooking at Home

Jennie-O Turkey Store, one of the most beloved turkey brands in the world, today announced the results of its latest national survey showing how Americans feel about cooking at home, recipe boredom during the last couple years, and compelling and unusual ways people are finding inspiration in the kitchen. There was also interesting data about how and why people use turkey in their meal planning. The survey of 2,004 consumers was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Jennie-O...

ANALYSIS: Tom Breast Meat Plots Along Precarious Path

Given seasonally robust demand patterns, barely adequate supplies, and upward trending values all in the face of the multi-state outbreak of HPAI, market participants on both sides of the negotiation table are understandably a little uneasy...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Thigh Meat and Pork Hams: Competing for the Consumer’s Dollar

With springtime right around the corner, turkey market participants are consulting with the charts as they plot this year’s seasonal course...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Cold Storage Report Confirms What Players Suspect

With January’s cold storage assessment hot off the press, turkey market participants are digging through the stats as they attempt to gain some perspective on the supply side of the equation...

ANALYSIS: Gauging Early Year Turkey Production

In light of the turkey market’s seasonally strong performance recently, this week we thought it would be a good opportunity to dig into the production side of the equation...

ANALYSIS: Whole Turkeys Establish Steep Seasonal Perch

It’s been a long time coming, but after another successful reunion in Atlanta, turkey market participants are back in the saddle this week and ready to get down to business...

ANALYSIS: November Turkey Exports: A Polarized Plunge

Closely aligned with what market input has indicated recently, November’s export tally was relatively subdued with most trade destinations reducing their imports of US turkey when compared to October...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Cold Storage: A Post-Holiday Peek into the Freezers

As turkey market participants eagerly dig through November’s Cold Storage Report, they find that most of the final figures serve to reinforce what they already know: Inventory levels remain constricted...

PLANT PROTEIN: Get to Know Players in the Plant Protein Market: CHKN Not Chicken

Portland, Oregon-based startup CHKN Not Chicken vows that its blend of plant-based proteins and spices is real food, not a science experiment.

“We’ve been working on the recipe for CHKN Not Chicken for more than two years now. It took a lot of work to develop a product that we were all proud of and that we knew delivered on the taste and texture of chicken,” says co-founder & CEO Brian Pope. “We also wanted to ensure that the product was...

This Week in Retail: Seafood Features Are Ablaze Amid the Holidays

With Christmas at our doorstep, some households are stocking up on last-minute gifts, along with food for those hosting holiday meals.

Just ahead of the holiday, seafood climbed to the top spot among protein ads this week with 29.5 percent. Beef comes in second with 25.9 percent of total protein ad volume, followed by pork with 21.6 percent. Chicken makes up 4.7 percent, compared to 5.7 percent the previous week. Turkey features increased to 16.8 percent, up from 12.2 percent last week...

ANALYSIS: Premium Prices and Reduced Headcount Keep Deboning Lines Seasonally Active…

With frozen bagged turkeys slowly relinquishing the Thanksgiving limelight, most of the attention is once again falling back onto the raw material sector, and with good reason...

Urner Barry's New Market Briefing Provides an In-Depth Look at the Protein Trade Before the Holidays

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. In this Market Briefing, Urner Barry reporters outline the latest action in the commodity protein markets, highlighting seasonal factors, disruptors, and current supply and demand fundamentals...

ANALYSIS: October Turkey Exports: A Push-Pull Between Volume and Value

Keeping in line with what our day-to-day market dialogue suggests, October’s ending export figures were relatively diverse with some countries displaying a notable year-over-year (YoY) advancement in both volume and value, while others took a less-urgent approach towards securing their Q4 requirements... 

This Week in Retail: Inflation Climbs to 39-Year High in Latest CPI Data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November, showing the all items index up 6.8 percent over the past 12 months. This was the fastest 12-month increase since June 1982.

The food index increased 0.7 percent last month after rising 0.9 percent in both September and October. The index for food away from home rose 0.6 percent in November after gaining 0.8 percent in October, according to the BLS. Over the last year, the food away from home index has risen 5.8 percent. This was the largest yearly increase dating back to January 1982...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Raw Materials: A Year to Remember

For many participants, 2021 marked the return of some familiar seasonal underpinnings to the turkey raw material sector...

NTF Expands Turkey Smoke Series with Kansas City Barbeque Society

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is pleased to continue its partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) to kick off the third year of the Turkey Smoke Series, which encourages both professional and amateur pitmasters to showcase the versatility and creativity of using turkey on the smoker or grill. The Turkey Smoke Series will feature a turkey category in barbeque competitions across the United States during the 2022 barbeque season. Pitmasters and Contest Organizers love that the Turkey Smoke Series...

ANALYSIS: Turkey White Meat Values: What Seasonality?

As we transition into December, there is little if any doubt that the turkey white meat complex has far outpaced historic seasonal expectations...

This Week in Retail: Jingle Bells, December Sells

December has arrived and retailers have been proactively preparing for what could be a record-breaking season for holiday spending.

The National Retail Federation predicts the highest holiday retail sales on record this year. According to the NRF’s forecast, holiday sales during November and December could grow between $843.4 billion and $859 billion. This compares with a previous high of $777.3 billion in 2020.

Rising incomes along with household wealth, a desire to return to in-person events, and a favorable weather forecast for the holiday season are among the factors contributing to a promising spending outlook...