Butterball turkeys are being sold at Walmart for as low as $0.25 per pound, possibly due to a resurfaced PETA video alleging past animal abuse at the company. Despite the video's age and Butterball's current American Humane certification, it has stirred online discussions and may be influencing consumer behavior. However, the decline in turkey sales aligns with a long-term trend, and demand is shifting towards smaller turkey cuts. Butterball and PETA have both issued statements regarding the video's impact and the company's animal welfare practices.
Butterball is facing a potential Thanksgiving turkey boycott after resurfaced footage from a 2006 PETA investigation showed workers at an Arkansas plant torturing and sexually abusing turkeys. The graphic video has sparked outrage on social media, with many consumers pledging to return their Butterball turkeys and opt for vegan alternatives. Butterball has responded by emphasizing their commitment to animal welfare and noting that the video does not reflect their current practices. PETA continues to highlight ongoing issues of animal abuse in the industry.
Butterball CEO Jay Jandrain states that larger turkeys are in demand this year as Americans return to pre-pandemic celebrations with bigger groups. Despite elevated food prices, the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinner is expected to be 4.5% cheaper compared to last year. The average cost of a 16-pound turkey is 5.56% cheaper than in 2021. Americans will spend an average of $61.17 on a meal for 10 people, which is $2.88 cheaper than last year. However, the average Thanksgiving meal is still about 25% more expensive than in 2019.
