Celebrating the 4th of July with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with 10 family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) 2023 July 4th Cookout Survey.
The $67.73 grocery bill is down 3% from 2022, but still approximately 14% higher than prices were just two years ago. Last year set a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013, and 2023 comes in as the second-highest cost. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
The survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies.
The retail price for a package of eight hamburger buns increased 17% to $2.26. Homemade potato salad will cost $3.44, up 5% from 2022. The cost of 2 pounds of ground beef rose 4% to $11.54. Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from 240 different stores in every state and Puerto Rico.
Several factors influence the increases. Drought conditions have increased the cost of feed and reduced the number of available cattle for the summer grilling season, driving up beef prices. Higher potato prices can be attributed to poor weather leading to a drop in production, and general inflation is driving up the price of processed foods like bread.
The survey found one exception to the increased price of processed foods. A package of cookies will cost 10% less than 2022. The price of chicken breasts and eggs, which had reached record-high prices in 2022, are both lower. This is good news as the number of avian influenza cases has fallen, which has allowed chicken populations to recover. Lemonade is 16% less expensive, at $3.73, due to a drop in the cost of lemons.
Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person.
“Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country, which is due in part to strong farm bill programs,” said Loren Koeman, Michigan Farm Bureau lead economist. “As we all celebrate the 4th of July, we encourage members of Congress to consider the contributions of the farm bill to our security and independence by ensuring a safe and abundant food supply.”
The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 5.8% compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.
According to AFBF, farmers currently receive just 14 cents of every food marketing dollar.
“Farmers have to pay for fuel, fertilizer and other expenses, which have all gone up in cost,” Koeman added. “Just like consumers, farmers are price-takers — not price-makers.”
Individual prices:
2 pounds of ground beef, $11.54 (+4%)
2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.14 (-9%)
3 pounds of pork chops, $14.37 (-6%)
1 pound of cheese, $3.53 (no change)
1 package of hamburger buns, $2.26 (+17%)
2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.44 (+5%)
32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.44 (-3%)
16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.53 (-4%)
13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.90 (-10%)
½ gallon of ice cream, $5.29 (+3%)
2 pints of strawberries, $4.56 (+3%)
2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $3.73 (-16%)
Comments