Iowans preparing a Thanksgiving feast may find welcome savings this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey shows the average cost of a 10-serving classic holiday meal is $55.18, a 5% decrease from 2024. 

Regional data shows the Midwest came in at $54.38—just slightly below the national average. The expanded menu, which includes boneless ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, totals $77.09.

This year’s survey reflects an even split with half of the surveyed items decreasing in price while half increased. The drop in frozen turkey prices was the primary factor in the overall savings, aided by retailers offering holiday deals to attract shoppers.

Items that decreased in price include:

  • A 16-pound frozen turkey: $21.50, or $1.34 per pound (down 16.3%).
  • A 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.28 (down 2.8%).
  • One dozen dinner rolls: $3.56 (down 14.6%), 14 ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $3.71 (down 9%) and two frozen pie crusts: $3.37 (down 0.8%), all due to lower wheat prices.
  • Miscellaneous ingredients needed to prepare the meal: $3.61 (down 4.7%).

Items that increased in price include:

  • Three pounds of sweet potatoes: $4.00 (up 37%), largely due to hurricane damage in North Carolina, the nation’s top producer.
  • A one-pound veggie tray consisting of carrots and celery: $1.36 (up 61.3%), reflecting the volatility of fresh produce pricing driven by weather, transportation delays and other supply-chain factors.
  • One pound of frozen peas: $2.03 (up 17.2%).
  • One gallon of whole milk: $3.73 (up 16.3%) and a half pint of whipping cream is $1.87 (up 3.2%).
  • A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.16 (up 0.1%). 

It’s important to note that fresh vegetables and potatoes are traditionally low-cost items, meaning even small increases can lead to high year-over-year percentage changes.

Meanwhile, the farmer’s share of every dollar spent on food remains roughly 16 cents, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data, and net farm income for Iowa farmers fell by 53% from 2022 to 2024. 

“Thanksgiving deals are helpful for families, but profitability for farmers continues to be a challenge in 2025,” said Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau’s research and economics manager. “Iowa farmers face historically low crop prices, high input costs and tight margins, yet they remain resilient and committed to doing what they do best—caring for their land, practicing good stewardship and raising healthy animals to provide abundant, affordable food for families here at home and across the country.”

Farm Bureau’s Thanksgiving dinner survey has used the same quantities and items since 1986 to allow for consistent comparisons over time. Volunteer shoppers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico collected prices in the first week of November using in-store checks and online listings, without relying on special promotional coupons or “combined deal” pricing.

For full survey results, visit Farm Bureau's Thanksgiving survey market intel.