The farmer’s share of the cost of Thanksgiving

Much has been made of the price consumers pay for them Thanksgiving meals this year — but the amount farmers get remains low according to a new report. On average, farmers and ranchers receive just 14.3 cents of every dollar spent on food.

The National Farmers Union has just released the 2022 farmer quota grocery dollar for Thanksgiving items. Even though consumers are paying more for food this year, almost none of that increase is being passed on to America’s farmers and family farmers.

So why do farmers see so little of inflated food prices? According to the USDA, off-farm costs, including marketing, processing, wholesale, distribution and retailing, account for more than 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States. The National Farmers Union blames waves of mergers and acquisitions in recent decades, which they say have led to agricultural and food supply chains that are not only uncompetitive and fragile, but also underpaid farmers.

“Corporate profits and consumer food costs continue to rise and rise, but farmers’ share of the food dollar remains low,” said NFU President Rob Larew.

Included in the 2022 Thanksgiving Farmers’ Share figures are:

• Turkey: Retail Price – $1.99/lb, Farmer’s Rate – $0.06/lb
• Sweet Corn, 16 oz. Frozen: Retail Price – $2.59, Farmer’s Share – $0.44
• Filling, 12-ounce box: Retail Price – $3.59, Farmer’s Share – $0.13
• Boneless Ham, 2 Pounds: Retail Price – $12.98, Farmer’s Share – $1.00
• Mashed Potatoes, 5 Pound Bag: Retail Price – $5.99, Farmer’s Share – $1.30
• Apple Pie Filling, 21-ounce box: Retail – $4.99, Farmer’s Share – $1.03