The average cost of a 4th of July cookout for 10 people is $70.92 this year, down just 30 cents from 2024’s record high, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual Marketbasket survey. That puts the per-person cost at $7.09 — the second-highest since the survey began in 2013.
Beef, potato salad, and canned pork and beans saw the largest price increases, with ground beef up 4.4% to $13.33 and potato salad rising 6.6% to $3.54. Pork and beans rose to $2.69, up 8.2% from last year, reflecting impacts from supply limitations, tariffs on canned goods and elevated egg costs.
At the same time, prices fell for pork chops (down 8.8% to $14.13), chips (down 2.1% to $4.80), and hamburger buns (down 2.6% to $2.35), thanks to stronger pork supply, reduced demand for potatoes and lower wheat prices.
“Inflation and lower availability of some food items continue to keep prices stubbornly high for America’s families,” said Samantha Ayoub, AFBF associate economist. “High prices don’t mean more money for farmers, however. Farmers are price takers, not price makers. Their share of the food retail dollar is just 15%. The cost of running their farm is up, from labor and transportation, to taxes.”
Zippy Duvall, AFBF president, emphasized the importance of a strong farm bill to ensure food security and support for sustainable agriculture, urging Congress to act when they return from the July recess.
"Farmers are dedicated to doing the right thing, and their commitment to sustainable and innovative farming practices ensures a safe and abundant food supply for every family in America," Duvall said. "Farmers and ranchers achieve this, in part, through research, conservation and farm safety net programs that are made possible through a strong farm bill."
While prices remain high, AFBF noted that U.S. consumers still spend a smaller share of their income on food than anywhere else in the world.
