Here’s How Much More You’ll Spend on Your 4th of July Barbecue This Year

Fourth of July barbecues aren’t immune to inflation either. Americans feeding a group of 10 this holiday weekend will spend an average of $71.22, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That’s a record high: 5% more than last year and 30% more than in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest driver of grocery bill increases will be the cost of meat, which makes up about half of the total cost. The American Farm Bureau found that two pounds of ground beef will cost an average of $12.77 this year, up 11% from a year ago. Pork is also more expensive, rising 8% to an average of $15.49. Some BBQ items are cheaper The good news is that some items are cheaper than they were last summer. For example, two pounds of chicken breasts now cost an average of $7.83 nationally, down 4% from a year ago. Similarly, the cost of homemade potato salad is down 4%. The price of other staples, including cheese (+1%) and strawberries (+1%), is virtually unchanged. Looking back, it’s clear that food prices aren’t skyrocketing like they were two years ago. While inflation has soared across the economy in 2022, the American Farm Bureau estimated a 17% year-over-year increase in the cost of a Fourth of July barbecue. In that survey, the cost of ground beef jumped 36% over the year. And the cost of chicken breasts jumped 33% due to bird flu outbreaks, which also sent egg prices soaring. After that price shock, Fourth of July grilling got a break on the bill last summer. The cost of a 10-person barbecue fell 3% to $67.73. The American Farm Bureau notes that, on an inflation-adjusted basis, this summer’s barbecue bill is 5% below the record set in 2022. Of course, food prices vary widely across the country. The cheapest Fourth of July barbecue bill is in the Northeast, at $63.54, according to the American Farm Bureau. Consumers will spend slightly more in the South and Midwest, at $68.33 and $68.26, respectively. The most expensive barbecue bills are in the West, where Americans will spend $80.88, more than a dollar more per person than the national average.

Even Fourth of July barbecues aren’t immune to inflation.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, Americans feeding a group of 10 people this holiday weekend will spend an average of $71.22.

This is a record level: 5% more than last year and 30% more than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main driver of rising supermarket bills will be the cost of meat, which accounts for around half of the total cost.

The American Farm Bureau found that the price of two pounds of ground beef will cost an average of $12.77 this year, an 11 percent increase from last year.

Pork is also more expensive, rising 8% to an average of $15.49.

Some kitchen items are cheaper

The good news is that some items are cheaper than last summer.

For example, a pound of chicken breast now costs an average of $7.83 nationwide, down 4 percent from last year. Similarly, the price of homemade potato salad is down 4 percent. The price of other staples, such as cheese (+1 percent) and strawberries (+1 percent), is virtually unchanged.

Looking back, it is clear that food prices are no longer skyrocketing like they were two years ago.

As inflation soars across the economy in 2022, the American Farm Bureau estimated that the cost of a Fourth of July meal will increase 17% year over year. In that survey, the cost of ground beef jumped 36% over the year. And the price of chicken breasts jumped 33% due to bird flu outbreaks, which also sent egg prices soaring.

After that shock, July 4th barbecue enthusiasts enjoyed a discount on their bills last summer. The cost of a barbecue for 10 people dropped 3 percent, to $67.73.

The American Farm Bureau notes that, on an inflation-adjusted basis, this summer’s barbecue bill is 5% below the record set in 2022.

Of course, grocery prices vary considerably across the country.

According to the American Farm Bureau, the cheapest Fourth of July barbecue bill is $63.54 in the Northeast. Consumers will spend slightly more in the South and Midwest, at $68.33 and $68.26, respectively.

The most expensive barbecue bills are in the West, where Americans spend $80.88, more than a dollar more per person than the national average.

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