Celebrating the Fourth of July in 2026 will come with a record price tag for cookouts, as the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) annual marketbasket survey indicates a cost of $73.82 for 10 guests, or $7.38 per person. This marks a 4% increase ($2.90) from last year and is the highest cost since the AFBF began tracking these prices in 2016. This rise is attributed to broader inflation, with the overall annual inflation rate in the U.S. standing at 4.2% for the 12 months ending in May, closely mirroring the cookout cost increase.
The increase in prices affects 10 out of 12 tracked items. Ground beef, for instance, saw a 5.5% rise to $14.06 for 2 pounds, due to ongoing herd rebuilding efforts by ranchers after severe droughts. Pork and beans increased by 13.8% to $3.06 for a 32-ounce can, largely because of higher aluminum costs for cans. Strawberries, at $5.27 for two pints, are up 12.4%, impacted by a devastating frost in Florida, high labor costs, and increased fuel expenses for refrigeration and transportation. Hamburger buns also saw a 7.7% increase, costing $2.53 due to higher production, transportation, and labor costs.
Despite the overall price hikes, there are a couple of bright spots. Potato salad prices fell by 17.8% to $2.91, primarily due to a recovery in egg prices after avian influenza outbreaks and healthy potato harvests. Chips also saw a slight decrease, down 0.8% to $4.76. Geographically, the cost varies, with the West experiencing the highest average cost at $80, which is $6 above the national average, while the Northeast is the cheapest at $71.35. Even with the increased costs, 87% of consumers plan to celebrate Independence Day, with 62% opting for a cookout, demonstrating that higher food costs are not deterring celebrations.
