CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you've been food shopping lately, you know, everything is more expensive these days including holiday food favorites.
Turkey prices climbed 17% in the past year, according to the latest numbers from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's not just inflation making the main attraction of your Thanksgiving feast more expensive.
Experts say while overall inflation is partly to blame, there's another factor at play: the return of bird flu.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, between January and July of this year, 5.4 million turkeys were killed to contain the spread of the bird flu virus.
While experts say there currently isn't a turkey shortage, they're also saying we shouldn’t expect the type of deals on turkey you’d typically see at grocery stores around the Thanksgiving holiday.
That's not to say there won't be any deals whatsoever, you just might have to put in more effort this year to get a discounted bird.
Consumer experts say ahead of the holiday, you should join all of the grocery store loyalty programs and then comparison shop.
If your go-to grocer doesn't have any turkey deals, the store down the street might.
And remember, the bigger the bird, the more economical.
Consumer experts say the turkey will cost more overall, but the price per pound ends up being less.
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WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
