As Thanksgiving approaches, the White House is making the case that key holiday groceries are becoming more affordable. Officials are highlighting falling egg prices and a cheaper Thanksgiving meal basket to show relief at the checkout. But with tariffs raising costs for some imported goods, the picture isn’t entirely straightforward.
The White House is putting affordability front and center this holiday season, emphasizing that certain Thanksgiving essentials are cheaper than they were a year ago. Even with government data showing grocery trips still cost 2.7% more than last year, officials argue that key savings are helping ease the strain on family budgets.
At the top of their list is Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal basket, which they say is 25% cheaper than last year. The list is made up of fewer products and lower-cost brands, but the administration still points to it as a sign of improving affordability. Egg prices are also down sharply, nearly 90%, this is largely due to fewer bird flu outbreaks affecting supply, as per a report by WCVB.
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Eggs have seen the most dramatic drop, and Walmart’s limited-price Thanksgiving basket is another example the White House is using to show relief. But grocery inflation hasn’t disappeared. Small businesses, including stores that rely on imported products, are still facing rising costs, as per a report by WCVB.
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Emily Friedberg, co-owner of Each Peach Market in Washington, D.C., described the challenge: “How can we cover our costs? We have to cover our costs of bringing it in. But we have to decide how important that product is to it and what the appetite is for our customer,” she said. “More often, we kind of meet in the middle and try to take a little hit on our margin to make it more palatable.”
Tariffs continue to push prices higher on a range of imported foods. President Donald Trump recently reduced tariffs on beef, coffee, and tropical fruit, acknowledging that tariffs “may have raised prices,” though he argued that import taxes generally do not impact consumer prices, as per a report by WCVB.
Beef, however, is still at record highs. Agricultural economist Michael Swanson noted that the effect of tariff changes depends on the type of beef, since much of what’s used in ground beef is imported and may still face tariffs.
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For 2025, it costs $55.18 to serve 10 people a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a figure that reflects both falling costs on some items and upward pressure on others. The cost was about $46.9 in 2020, $43.47 in 2010 and $36.78 in 2005, as per a report by WCVB.
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Are grocery prices actually down this Thanksgiving?
Some items are cheaper, but overall grocery costs are still up 2.7% from last year.
How much does a Thanksgiving meal cost in 2025?
Serving 10 people costs $55.18.
Are Thanksgiving grocery prices really cheaper this year?
The White House is putting affordability front and center this holiday season, emphasizing that certain Thanksgiving essentials are cheaper than they were a year ago. Even with government data showing grocery trips still cost 2.7% more than last year, officials argue that key savings are helping ease the strain on family budgets.
At the top of their list is Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal basket, which they say is 25% cheaper than last year. The list is made up of fewer products and lower-cost brands, but the administration still points to it as a sign of improving affordability. Egg prices are also down sharply, nearly 90%, this is largely due to fewer bird flu outbreaks affecting supply, as per a report by WCVB.
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What prices are actually falling?
Eggs have seen the most dramatic drop, and Walmart’s limited-price Thanksgiving basket is another example the White House is using to show relief. But grocery inflation hasn’t disappeared. Small businesses, including stores that rely on imported products, are still facing rising costs, as per a report by WCVB.
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Emily Friedberg, co-owner of Each Peach Market in Washington, D.C., described the challenge: “How can we cover our costs? We have to cover our costs of bringing it in. But we have to decide how important that product is to it and what the appetite is for our customer,” she said. “More often, we kind of meet in the middle and try to take a little hit on our margin to make it more palatable.”
How are tariffs affecting grocery bills?
Tariffs continue to push prices higher on a range of imported foods. President Donald Trump recently reduced tariffs on beef, coffee, and tropical fruit, acknowledging that tariffs “may have raised prices,” though he argued that import taxes generally do not impact consumer prices, as per a report by WCVB.
Beef, however, is still at record highs. Agricultural economist Michael Swanson noted that the effect of tariff changes depends on the type of beef, since much of what’s used in ground beef is imported and may still face tariffs.
ALSO READ:Are Walmart, Target, Best Buy open on Black Friday? What time do stores open on Black Friday 2025? Key details for shoppers
Is the Thanksgiving meal really cheaper?
For 2025, it costs $55.18 to serve 10 people a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a figure that reflects both falling costs on some items and upward pressure on others. The cost was about $46.9 in 2020, $43.47 in 2010 and $36.78 in 2005, as per a report by WCVB.
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FAQs
Are grocery prices actually down this Thanksgiving?
Some items are cheaper, but overall grocery costs are still up 2.7% from last year.
How much does a Thanksgiving meal cost in 2025?
Serving 10 people costs $55.18.