Turkey Trends

=Gobbling Up Data: How the USDA and Rosie Deliver a Feast of Insights

Thanksgiving is almost here—time to prep those pies and debate whether stuffing goes in the bird or on the side. But before we eat, let’s talk turkey. Ever wondered how this holiday centerpiece is doing behind the scenes?

The Economic Research Service (ERS) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture keeps a close eye on the turkey industry, crunching numbers so we can better understand what’s happening with the bird’s production, consumption, and trade.

I enlisted Rosie to help break down the numbers.

Why Rosie? She’s great at helping me spot and understand trends. She’s particularly great at helping me visualize data (as seen throughout this piece).

From a decline in turkey production to more people loving it worldwide, the numbers tell an interesting story.

Let’s look at the trends shaping your Thanksgiving meal!

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=Production Takes a Dip

Turkeys aren’t flying as high as they used to. In 2024, U.S. turkey meat production dropped by 6.3% compared to the previous year. That’s significant for an industry that produced almost 5.5 billion pounds in 2023.

The dip represents more than just numbers. Peak production back in 2019 hit 5.82 billion pounds, but projections for 2024 hover at 5.11 billion pounds.

Looking at the data, I was genuinely curious about the divergence between turkey production and value (the two lines above). Rosie helped me hypothesize about what might be the root cause.

I hadn't thought about avian flu outbreaks, which is a plausible reason for the significant decline in turkey production.

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=The Top Turkey State?

Minnesota. Who Knew?

Minnesota—the "Land of 10,000 Lakes”—is also full of turkeys. It happens to be the top turkey-producing state, boasting 38.5 million birds in 2023

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=What’s Happening on Our Plates?

In the U.S., we’re eating less turkey, even as prices have declined since 2022.

In 2024, per capita consumption is expected to drop to 13.9 pounds, a significant decrease compared to 15.9 pounds in 2019.

One key trend to note: Prices

While wholesale turkey prices peaked at $1.55 per pound in 2022, they’ve since dropped to $0.94 per pound in 2024. Even with lower prices, demand hasn’t bounced back.

I’d imagine it has something to do with changing dietary habits. The rise of plant-based diets has turned some consumers away from traditional meat.

Consumers seem to be weighing their options, and turkey isn’t always making the cut.

=The Turkey Trade

Guess who’s loving U.S. turkey? Overseas markets.

Despite production challenges, exports are expected to hit 504 million pounds in 2024—a rebound from 2022’s rough 407 million pounds.

Key markets like Mexico and China are driving this growth. While U.S. plates are seeing less turkey, global tables are filling up.

Fun fact: U.S. turkey is often repurposed into processed items abroad, from deli meats to convenience meals. Who knew?

=What the Numbers Tell Us

From the dinner table to export markets, turkey is undergoing interesting changes. Production is down, consumption is shifting, and global demand is thriving. And while it’s not all smooth sailing, the industry continues to adapt.

What do you think? Are you surprised by these trends?

=Join Us on the Journey

Give Rosie’s visualization feature a try. Next time you’re buried in a spreadsheet, don’t struggle alone. Just ask Rosie how she can help.
Click here to try Rosie out yourself with our interactive demo

Thanks for reading!

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Dennis Jiang
Cofounder and CEO

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