In a recent video, Jayson Lusk, a distinguished professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, explained why turkey prices have risen this year.

Lusk said turkey prices this year have been 20% more expensive than in 2021. He notes that within the last few weeks, that price increase has dropped to between 9% and 10%. 

The biggest factor driving up turkey prices was a wave of avian influenza, or bird flu, that hit in the spring, said Lusk. This disease devastated many flocks in Indiana and throughout the country. This decrease in turkey supply has led to higher prices as demand increases during the holiday season. 

Lusk said that even though turkey prices are higher than they have been, it remains an affordable meat option compared to other main protein sources. He predicts turkey prices will fall in future years as flocks recover from avian influenza.