Why a traditional Thanksgiving meal costs more in California

"The bureau's annual Thanksgiving dinner survey estimates the cost of a typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 that includes turkey, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie will cost $72.61 in California much higher than the national average of $55.18. The report cites the surging costs of producing crops and raising livestock in the state. California has the highest share of production expenses in the nation, 10.5 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service."

"And a shortage of farmworkers is not just being felt in California, but nationwide, in part due to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies that impact a large share of farmworkers. This is in addition to historically low crop prices, high supply costs and trade uncertainty, according to the report. The price of the holiday meal in California is up 2.7 percent in Trump's first term, compared to a 5 percent decrease nationwide."

Typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 costs $72.61 in California versus a national average of $55.18. Higher California costs reflect surging expenses for producing crops and raising livestock, with the state recording the nation's highest share of production expenses at 10.5 percent per the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. A nationwide farmworker shortage, partly driven by Trump administration immigration enforcement policies, is increasing labor pressures. Other factors include historically low crop prices, high supply costs and trade uncertainty. California's holiday meal price rose 2.7 percent in Trump's first term while the national cost fell about 5 percent.

Read at www.mercurynews.com