November 23, 2025 - Californians preparing traditional Thanksgiving dinners are expected to spend more than families in most other parts of the country, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation's 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey. The classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 guests in California will cost $72.61-well above the national average of $55.18 and significantly higher than the Western regional average of $61.75.

Related: American Farm Bureau Federation's 40th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Survey Finds California's Thanksgiving Dinner Costs Higher Than National Average

The shopping list for Farm Bureau's informal survey includes frozen turkey, pumpkin pie mix, whole milk, veggie tray, dinner rolls, frozen pie shells, frozen green peas, fresh cranberries, whipping cream, sweet potatoes, cubed stuffing and miscellaneous ingredients, all in quantities sufficient to serve a gathering of 10. California costs reflect higher prices across most Thanksgiving staples, including frozen turkey, whipping cream, whole milk and sweet potatoes.

Shoppers will pay:

• Frozen turkey, 16 lbs. (California $29.72; U.S. $21.50)
• Pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz. (California $4.90; U.S. $4.16)
• Whole milk, 1 gallon (California $5.57; U.S. $3.73)
• Veggie tray (½ pound carrots and ½ pound celery) (California $1.56; U.S. $1.36)
• Miscellaneous ingredients (California $4.75; U.S. $3.61)
• Dinner rolls, 12 (California $4.18; U.S. $3.56)
• Frozen pie shells, 2 (California $4.47; U.S. $3.37)
• Frozen green peas, 1 lb. (California $3.16; U.S. $2.03)
• Fresh cranberries, 12 oz. (California $2.69; U.S. $2.28)
• Whipping cream, ½ pint (California $2.66; U.S. $1.87)
• Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs. (California $5.33; U.S. $4.00)
• Cubed stuffing, 14 oz. (California $3.64; U.S. $3.71)

Although grocery bills continue to climb, farmers see only a small portion of each dollar spent on food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, the national farm share in 2023 was 15.9 cents of every dollar spent on domestically produced food, a slight decrease from 16 cents in 2022.

At the same time, the cost of producing crops and raising livestock has surged. Rising costs are especially apparent in California, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, with the state accounting for 10.5% of U.S. total production expenses in 2024—the highest share in the nation.

"California farmers and ranchers continue to provide high-quality food for families across the nation," said Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau, which represents more than 23,000 farmers and ranchers statewide. "Despite rising costs and slim margins, our farmers remain committed to ensuring a bountiful supply of fresh, nutritious food. California Farm Bureau is proud to support the agricultural community that makes that possible."

The Thanksgiving dinner cost survey is part of the American Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular Fourth of July cookout survey. AFBF analysis indicates the national cost of cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 in 2025 decreased by 5% compared to last year. Details about the national Thanksgiving dinner cost survey can be found here.

California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches as part of a nationwide network representing more than 5 million Farm Bureau members. Learn more at www.cfbf.com or follow @cafarmbureau on Instagram, LinkedIn, X or Facebook.

Source: CA. Farm Bureau