Families planning a Fourth of July cookout this year should expect to spend more, as the average cost for a barbecue for 10 people is $73.82, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. This represents a 4% increase, or $2.90, from last year. This figure makes it the most expensive Fourth of July cookout since the Farm Bureau began tracking costs in 2016.
The primary driver of this increase is the rising cost of meat, with overall meat prices having climbed by over 7.5% in the past year. The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years, contributing to a limited supply despite consistent consumer demand. For instance, the retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef rose 5.5% to $14.06, and two pounds of chicken breasts now cost $8.06, a 4.7% increase. Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of Stew Leonard's Grocery Stores, noted that farmers are also facing higher operating costs, including labor, insurance, and fuel, which further push up prices at the meat counter.
While the sticker price is higher, when adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the cost of the cookout basket is relatively stable. The inflation-adjusted cost per person is $2.20, nearly flat compared to $2.21 last year, and remains below the peak reached in 2022. Some items, however, saw price decreases; potato salad fell 17.8% to $2.91, largely due to lower egg prices as flocks recovered from avian influenza. Stew Leonard suggests strategies to save money, such as choosing more affordable proteins and avoiding pre-cut fruits and vegetables, like buying a whole watermelon instead of pre-sliced portions to save up to 20%.
