Cost of Christmas dinner edges higher as turkey and sprouts drive up prices

The cost of a traditional Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom has edged higher this year, driven by higher prices for turkey and Brussels sprouts. A typical turkey dinner with all the trimmings now costs about £32.45, based on prices collected for BBC on 6 December 2025 and compared with the same date in 2024. The rise equals roughly £1.24, or about 4%, reflecting a mix of supply pressures and weather-driven harvests.

Turkey prices have risen sharply this year, with a standard 10lb (4.55kg) frozen turkey costing about £20, up from £18.62 last year, a rise of roughly 7.37%. The price shift follows bird flu outbreaks that prompted culls and kept many flocks indoors. Market voices say the higher cost could stretch households as they plan for the holiday season. Brussels sprouts have also climbed, up more than 9% to 94p per bag, underscoring the annual impact of weather on produce. The BBC data cover own-brand products sold across Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl.

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Meanwhile, some items have edged lower. Potatoes and parsnips are each about a penny cheaper than last year, and Christmas pudding and mince pies have slipped as sugar, flour and related ingredients ease globally. A pack of six iced mince pies now costs about £1.77, down 2.75% from 2024, while a standard 400g pudding is about £2.35, down 7.42%. Stuffing mix has fallen 1.32% to 50p for 170g, and gravy granules are down 7.35% to 91p for 200–300g.

The broader cost backdrop shows that, while food price inflation remains elevated by historical standards, the pace of increases has slowed since the spike that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The BBC analysis notes price data reflect supermarket own-brand options and can vary by store and timing.

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Industry voices describe a mixed picture for meat and vegetables through the year. In Potterspury, near Milton Keynes, turkey farmers faced a shift in processing and housing demands after England ordered indoor containment of flocks in November to curb avian flu. Farmer Susan Gorst says producers faced higher costs as birds ate more feed when kept indoors, but she adds that customers understand price pressures are a reality of the season. “I think people are now generally expecting an increase on most things year on year,” she says. John Muff, co-owner of Muff’s Butchers, notes that turkey prices have risen by roughly £1–£2 per kilo since the last Christmas, though he cautions the picture could have been worse if supply chains hadn’t adjusted.

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Among vegetables, the sprout story has extra nuance. Alan Steven, a sprout farmer in Fife, explains that a dry spring forced irrigation before planting for the season and that extra watering costs during hot spells added to his inputs. The winter’s milder conditions this year have left sprout crops more susceptible to disease, he warns, even as other root vegetables have offered some price relief.

Scott Walker, chief executive of GB Potatoes, says planting and harvesting conditions this year were favourable, but the middle of the season was one of the driest in modern memory. He notes that farmers with irrigation faced higher electricity and fuel costs, while those without irrigation saw more modest price rises overall. Lucy Munns, a potato grower in Cambridgeshire, describes a market where the best price for her potatoes might be around £200 a tonne, but she fears prices could dip to roughly £80 in December. She also notes that hot spells during growth can produce oddly shaped potatoes, which can affect how they are sold.

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Other price movements extend beyond the main holiday staples. Puddings and mince pies have not escaped the year’s blend of cheaper inputs. In addition to the standalone items, households may see cheaper gravy options, with gravy granules down about 7.35% and stuffing mix easing by 1.32%. For those planning ahead, the BBC notes that the seasonal snapshot is a cross-section of prices from major UK retailers, and individual shops may offer promotions or price matching for seasonal purchases.

For households aiming to manage costs, experts suggest starting with a budget, listing must-haves versus negotiables, planning leftovers to reduce waste, and looking for online offers or reduced items that can be frozen. Buying larger packs with friends or family to share per-person costs can also deliver value, as can winter storage of items like butter, meat joints and some cheeses that freeze well. The overall message from retailers and farmers alike is that while some items have become more affordable, others are still under upward pressure, and careful planning remains key to a simpler festive season.

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