YOUNGSTOWN - A Purdue University professor says that the price of Thanksgiving turkeys have dropped in recent weeks.

Professor Jayson Lusk, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, told the Associated Press that although turkey prices this year have been 20% more expensive than a year ago, within the last few weeks, that price increase has dropped to between 9% and 10%.

21 News reviewed turkey prices listed on the online weekly ads for local grocery stores and found the below prices as low as 55 cents per pound for larger sized turkeys.

Store and price per pound:

  • Meijer 55 cents
  • Giant Eagle 99 cents
  • Sparkle 88 cents
  • Walmart 98 cents
  • Marc's 87 cents
  • Aldi $1.07

Professor Lusk says the biggest factor driving up turkey prices was a wave of avian influenza, or bird flu, that hit in the spring. The disease devastated many flocks throughout the country.

The decrease in turkey supply has led to higher prices as demand increases during the holiday season.

Lusk says 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 bird flu.