WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Farmers are receiving only pennies of each dollar consumers spend on traditional Thanksgiving foods, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU_ annual report, “Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar.” Despite elevated grocery prices, the share going back to the people who grow and raise the food remains strikingly low. NFU says decades of consolidation in food processing, transportation, retail, and input markets have left family farmers with little leverage, while consumers continue facing high prices with few competitive alternatives.
The 2025 figures reveal wide disparities between retail prices and the prices farmers ultimately receive. Turkey producers receive just six cents per pound on a $2.49 retail price — barely 2.4% of the consumer dollar. Producers earn 1.3% of the value of boxed stuffing, 2% of dinner rolls, and just 10% of pumpkin puree.
Even where farmers capture a larger share — such as cranberries at nearly 32% or green beans at 25% — the absolute returns remain small. NFU argues these gaps illustrate how corporate control throughout the supply chain erodes both farmer profitability and consumer affordability.
The organization’s Fairness for Farmers campaign continues calling for stronger antitrust enforcement, greater transparency, and more competitive markets. NFU President Rob Larew says fixing the structural imbalance benefits everyone: fair prices for farmers and lower prices for families at the grocery store.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Low farmer shares reflect deep consolidation across the food chain, keeping producer returns thin even as retail food prices remain high.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
November 07, 2025 11:16 AM
·
Tight cattle supplies keep prices high for ranchers, but policy shifts, export barriers, and packer losses signal a volatile road ahead for the beef supply chain.
November 07, 2025 11:02 AM
·
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.
November 06, 2025 03:03 PM
·
For tight margins, contract grazing leverages existing acres into new income streams and spreads risk. Here are some tips for row crop farmers looking to diversify.
November 06, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Robby Kirkland explains how the ongoing U.S.-Mexico border closure impacts feed yards that rely on Mexican cattle due to the New World Screwworm.
November 06, 2025 12:01 PM
·
Global nitrogen and phosphate prices remain high despite improved supply fundamentals, with limited Chinese exports and stronger fall applications tightening availability.
November 06, 2025 11:16 AM
·
Record output, larger stocks, and softer exports point to a well-supplied domestic ethanol market as harvest progresses.
November 06, 2025 10:53 AM
·
U.S. sugar producers and processors should brace for price pressure and challenging export logistics with global sugar supply ramping up — driven by Brazil, India, and Thailand — especially at the raw processing level.
November 05, 2025 01:02 PM
·
Livestock profits are propping up overall sentiment, but crop producers remain cautious amid tight margins and uncertain policy signals.
November 04, 2025 01:45 PM
·
