Turkey prices might drop this Thanksgiving, but don’t get too comfortable. While a Wells Fargo consumer report predicts a 16% drop in turkey prices from last year, the savings may not be as significant for shoppers because retailers aren’t fully passing on the wholesale price cuts.
The report found that while wholesale prices are down a whopping 29%, supermarkets are keeping more of that gap to pad their margins. Analysts say retailers know you’ll still flock to buy that bird in November, and prices will likely dip more in the days leading up to the big feast.
But if you were hoping to serve ham, brace yourself. The price of ham is reaching near-record highs, up 5.2%, now costing $4.56 per pound. And that’s not the only holiday staple seeing a price hike—russet potatoes are also at an all-time high, up 14%, making mashed potatoes a pricier side dish.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start planning festive meals and figuring out the all-important protein centerpiece. For many families, the choice often comes down to two traditional options – baked ham or roasted turkey. But when deciding between these classic entrees, an important factor to weigh is cost.
Average Pricing on Ham and Turkey
On average turkey costs less per pound compared to ham. Whole frozen turkeys can run between $0.88 to $1.19 per pound. Bone-in hams range from $1.48 to $1.98 per pound. The most expensive option is boneless spiral-cut ham at around $3.50 per pound.
To estimate the total cost, consider the serving size. For turkey, expect approximately 2 servings per pound. Ham provides 3 to 4 servings per pound depending on whether it is bone-in or boneless. Calculate based on how many guests you plan to serve, remembering that people likely won’t eat full servings of both meats.
Factors That Impact Cost
Several factors impact the final cost of your holiday centerpiece:
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Bone-in vs boneless Boneless ham is significantly pricier A bone-in turkey or ham saves money,
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Whole vs parts Buying a whole turkey is cheaper than just breasts or other parts.
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Brand and quality: Premium or specialty ham and turkey cost more. Opt for basic store brands to save.
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Weight: The heavier your turkey or ham, the higher the overall cost. Only buy what you need.
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Preparation: Sliced or spiral-cut hams add expense for the extra handling.
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Sales and deals: Check for promotions or coupons on turkeys and hams to lower costs.
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Add-ons: Extras like glazes, rubs, and carving tools increase the price tag.
Are Combo Meal Deals Worth It?
Around the holidays, stores often offer deals like “buy a ham and get a free turkey.” This seems like a great value, but run the numbers to confirm. One such deal offered 7 pounds of boneless ham ($24.50 total) and gave a free 12-pound turkey. Compared to buying separately, the combo didn’t provide any savings – a bone-in ham would’ve been cheaper.
Nutrition and Health Considerations
From a health perspective, turkey is the better choice. It’s a leaner meat with less fat and sodium. Ham often contains additives like sodium and preservatives. However, both can be part of a balanced diet in moderation. Focus on lean, unprocessed cuts.
Environmental Impact
For an eco-friendly meal, turkey has a lower environmental impact than pork. Even better, choose plant-based mains like Tofurky or Field Roast that align with green values. If serving meat, select local, organic or sustainably raised options.
The Bottom Line on Cost
When planning holiday meals, turkey generally provides the best value, especially whole birds. But bone-in hams can also be budget-friendly. Consider quality, weight, and preparation to get the best deal. Most importantly, cherish the meaningful time with loved ones, no matter what main dish is served!
Factors That Make Ham More Expensive Than Turkey
Several key factors contribute to ham’s generally higher price tag compared to turkey:
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More labor-intensive processing: Hams are more heavily processed, smoked, cured, sliced and packaged than whole turkeys, increasing production costs. This gets passed onto the consumer through higher retail pricing.
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Higher demand for ham: There is strong year-round demand for ham as a popular deli and sandwich meat. Because it’s not just seasonal, producers can charge a premium.
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Versatility of cuts: The hind leg of a hog offers more diverse ham products (e.g. boneless, spiral, smoked, aged, etc.). Unique specialty cuts mean ham producers can tier pricing across good, better, best options.
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Smaller animal size: A hog is much smaller than a turkey, yielding less meat per animal. Lower supply translates to higher costs.
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Leaner meat: Ham comes from the hind leg which tends to be leaner than poultry. Less fat content increases the price.
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Boneless convenience: Deboning ham is labor intensive. Pre-sliced boneless hams command a steep price for the convenience they offer consumers.
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Higher profit margins: As a value-added product, retailers can capture more profit selling packaged ham versus selling an equivalent weight of pork. They pass the added margin to shoppers.
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Brand equity: Premium ham brands like Honey Baked Ham have strong consumer recognition and loyalty. This brand equity allows them to price hams at a premium to generic options.
Why Turkey Tends to Be More Affordable
There are a few key reasons why turkey provides better value for budget-conscious holiday cooks:
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Turkey is primarily produced for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Farmers ramp up supply for the holidays, bringing prices down.
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Whole turkeys require minimal processing beyond slaughter, chilling and freezing. Simple preparation keeps costs low.
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Turkeys are large birds, yielding a lot of meat per animal compared to hogs. High meat volume makes turkey efficient and economical.
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Plain whole turkeys don’t have the value-added attributes of deli ham. No need to pay a premium for curing, smoking, aging, deboning or slicing.
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Commodity pricing on whole birds allows retailers to sell turkeys as loss leaders during the holidays to draw customers.
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Grocers can purchase turkey parts like breast and legs to package for resale, while keeping prices on whole birds low.
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There are generally fewer perceived quality differences between basic turkeys from Foster Farms, Butterball, Shady Brook, etc. so pricing stays competitive.
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Whole turkeys are relatively cheap and easy to store and distribute compared to hams. Lower costs for grocers to stock turkeys.
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Americans consume a lot more pounds of turkey than ham at Thanksgiving. High holiday volume keeps turkey prices in check.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to traditional holiday centerpieces, turkey consistently costs less per pound than ham. However, both meats can fit into most budgets with some savvy shopping. Look for promotions, check unit pricing, buy only what you need and consider going boneless for maximum savings. Most of all, enjoy the time with loved ones no matter what is on the table!
Which Thanksgiving foods will be more expensive?
While turkey may offer some relief, certain items will put a dent in your wallet. Ham continues its climb, and processed holiday favorites like canned cranberry sauce are up 7%. Canned green beans, a staple in many Thanksgiving casseroles, have also jumped nearly 9%. So if you’re looking to cut costs, these might be the items to reconsider this year.
What items will save you money?
There are a few Thanksgiving staples that offer savings. Fresh cranberries are expected to be 20% cheaper than last year, which might just make that homemade cranberry sauce your best deal. Romaine lettuce is also down by 10%, so salads could be a more affordable addition to your table. Sweet potatoes, while up 4%, remain a relatively budget-friendly option.
Why turkeys might be more expensive this year
FAQ
What’s cheaper, turkey or ham?
Price comparison.
Fresh turkeys will cost a little more per pound, but they are lighter so the cost evens out. They are also superior in taste as fresh usually tastes better than frozen. If you are buying a Thanksgiving ham, you can expect to pay between $5-$7 per pound.
Which is better for you, ham or turkey?
It’s Arguably Healthier
Turkey is high in nutrients including phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins B3 and B6. White meat turkey is also very low in fat. Fresh ham tends to be much higher in fat, and cured ham is also very salty.
What sells more, turkey or ham?
Ham is the most popular holiday meat for Thanksgiving after turkey.Nov 24, 2024
Why eat ham instead of turkey?
Ham offers great amounts of protein being a red meat, in comparison to the white meat of turkey. More importantly, who would want to spend Thanksgiving day eating dry tasting turkey, when they can spend it enjoying the sweetness and flavor of ham? Mr.
Is turkey meat cheaper than Ham?
Turkey meat is cheaper compared to ham. Ham, more often than usual, is considered a delicate cold cut. However, cheap cuts are also available in the market. As the quality of pork and the smokiness increase, it becomes more expensive if the ham is boneless.
How much does a turkey ham cost?
Here are the costs I found. Whole turkey prices range from $.88 to $1.19 a pound. Boneless, spiral cut hams are about $3.50 a pound. Bone-in ham varies from $1.48 to 1.98 a pound. Both ham and turkey are priced to lure you to the store. The simple answer is turkey and the bone-in ham cost about the same with boneless ham costing significantly more.
How much does a boneless ham cost?
Boneless, spiral cut hams are about $3.50 a pound. Bone-in ham varies from $1.48 to 1.98 a pound. Both ham and turkey are priced to lure you to the store. The simple answer is turkey and the bone-in ham cost about the same with boneless ham costing significantly more. But, as usual, every situation is different.
What is the difference between Turkey meat and Ham?
Turkey meat is mostly richer in polyunsaturated fats. Ham is higher in trans fats compared to turkey meat. Turkey meat has negligible amounts of trans fat. Trans fat consumption has dietary relevance. It is important to monitor the trans fat intake. It should be in minimal amounts. If possible, avoiding it altogether is the healthiest approach.
Is a Thanksgiving turkey healthier than a ham?
Regardless of how it is prepared, turkey remains the healthier meat compared to ham.
How much does a bone-in ham cost?
Bone-in ham varies from $1.48 to 1.98 a pound. Both ham and turkey are priced to lure you to the store. The simple answer is turkey and the bone-in ham cost about the same with boneless ham costing significantly more. But, as usual, every situation is different. Below are some comments/questions with some of my thoughts.