Farm Bureau Survey Shows Slight Decline in Independence Day Cookout Cost in 2023

CAMP HILL – 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. Nationally, families will pay an average of $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with 10 family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation marketbasket 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.

Pennsylvania families will pay $67.89 – slightly above the national average – based on the survey’s results. The state’s average is higher than the Northeast Regional average of $64.73.

“The slight downward direction in the cost of a cookout doesn’t counter the dramatic increases we’ve seen over the past few years. Families are still feeling the pinch of high inflation along with other factors keeping prices high,” said AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan. “Don’t assume farmers come out as winners from higher prices at the grocery store either. They’re price takers, not price makers, whose share of the retail food dollar is just 14%. Farmers have to pay for fuel, fertilizer and other expenses, which have all gone up in cost.”

Factors for Changes in Consumer Prices

The marketbasket 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.

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.

Our 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.

Pennsylvania Data

While Pennsylvania data shows that the July 4th cookout will cost consumers slightly above the national average, Pennsylvania does see cheaper prices than national averages for several products, including ice cream (-26%) two pounds of ground beef (-6%), pork chops (-6%), pork and beans (-6%) and cheese (-1%). Pennsylvania shows higher prices than the national average on cookies (+30%), strawberries (+15%), hamburger rolls (+13%), chicken breasts (+9%) and chips (+4%).

Regionally, Pennsylvania data showcased a wide variety in prices for the July 4th cookout. The Northeast showed the lowest average price at $64.73, while the Western part of Pennsylvania was above the state average at $74.09.

Context

Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person. When put in a global context, Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country.

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 marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.

The July 4th cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.

Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from 240 different stores in every state and Puerto Rico.

Individual Prices Nationally, AFBF 2023 Summer Cookout