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Farmers Receive an Average of 12 Cents of Every Thanksgiving Food Dollar

Dan Economy

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According to this year’s Thanksgiving edition of the annual Farmer’s Share publication from the National Farmers Union; American farmers and ranchers are receiving roughly 12 cents of every dollar that’s spent on the Thanksgiving meal. According to the report, wheat farmers receive an average of about $0.03 from a pack of 12 dinner rolls that retails for $2.69.  Dairy producers received only $1.66 from a $4.59 gallon of milk. The turkey growers responsible for the centerpiece of a traditional Thanksgiving meal received just $0.06 per pound; while turkeys are retailing at an average of nearly $1.50 a pound.

NFU President Roger Johnson pointed out that the turkey figure is particularly striking, when considering that poultry integrators received a little more than $0.62 a pound. Interestingly, throughout the rest of the year farmers typically receive an average of about $0.14 of every food dollar spent by consumers.  More than 85 percent of food costs go toward covering marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution and retailing.

Listen to the report below.

Farmers Receive an Average of 12 Cents of Every Thanksgiving Food Dollar
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Brian German

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Ag News Director, AgNet West