Thanksgiving Day remains one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, with over 90% of Americans observing the holiday each year.
For many Americans, Thanksgiving ranks near the top of favorite holidays, as loved ones gather for a meal with a deep-fried, smoked or roasted turkey as the centerpiece.
Each year, about 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving alone, with production largely concentrated in a handful of states, according to the USDA.
The folks at Trace One released its “States You Can Thank for Your Turkey Dinner” report, which reveals the nation’s top turkey producers.
Turkey data
The report showed data from California, which includes the following takeaways:
Turkey production down, costs up
The report showed that turkey production is down nationwide as Americans eat less meat, reflecting a growing preference for plant-based diets or reducing overall meat consumption.
Victorville residents Alice Rollins told the Daily Press that her son and daughter in-law are “non-meat eaters,” and prefer “Thanksgiving side dishes” over her husband’s deep-fried turkey or smoked ham.
“Them not eating turkey is fine with me, I respect that,” Rollins said. “But they really are missing out.”
Per-capita turkey production peaked in 1996 at 26.8 pounds per person, but in 2024 dropped to just 19.3 pounds per person—a decline of about 28%, the report showed.
Higher prices also played a role in turkey consumption, as prices increased from 80 cents per pound in 2018 to $1.40 per pound in 2023.
Despite falling to 94 cents per pound in 2024, costs are expected to climb to an annual average of $1.19 per pound by the end of 2025.
Birds are getting bigger: The average turkey size in the U.S. has nearly doubled since the 1960s, climbing from just 17.7 pounds in 1960 to nearly 33 in 2024.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Do you know how many turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving Day?
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
