10 THINGS: Why your 4th of July cookout just got pricier, except for potato salad

The survey pulls prices for a complete, homemade cookout.

PUBLISHED JUL 3, 2024

Only two dishes decreased in price while everything else on your table rose, on average. (Photo: Cottonbro Studio)

10 Things is a column that aims to explain the heavier news stories of the day in no more than 10 points.

Phoenix, Arizona: Bernt Nelson and Samantha Ayoub from the Farm Bureau have released their findings about the rising cost of living that is about to land straight in people's backyards this 4th of July. Here is what they found: what's up, what's down, and what it's going to cost you to prepare a delicious 4th of July spread.

1) Increased Cookout Costs: The average cost for a 4th of July cookout for 10 people is $71.22, up 5% from last year and 30% from five years ago.

2) Meat Prices: Ground beef, pork chops, and chicken breasts make up 50% of the total cookout cost, with notable price increases due to changes in the beef and pork industries.

3) Ground Beef: Two pounds of ground beef now cost $12.77, an 11% increase from the previous year, driven by a low overall cattle inventory and high demand.

Despite rising prices in grocery stores, farm finances remain a concern for producers across the U.S.

4) Pork Chops: Prices rose 8% nationally, with California seeing even higher prices due to Proposition 12, which affects meat sales based on animal welfare standards.

5) Chicken Breasts: The price of chicken breasts decreased by 4% from 2023, thanks to increased broiler production and recovery efforts from avian influenza outbreaks.

6) Dairy and Baked Goods: American cheese prices remained stable, but ice cream costs increased by 7%, while hamburger buns rose by 7% due to low wheat stocks and complex wheat breeding challenges.

The increases in the cost of our cookout items reflect a number of broader economic factors.

7) Lemonade Costs: The price of fresh-squeezed lemonade increased by 12%, driven by a 13% rise in lemon prices due to citrus greening disease and supply chain challenges.

8) Potato Salad: Potato salad saw a 4% price decrease, balancing higher egg prices with lower potato costs.

9) Regional Price Variations: Grocery costs vary by region, with the Northeast being the cheapest at $63.54 for a cookout, and the Western US the most expensive at $80.88.

10) Economic and Supply Chain Factors: Rising food prices reflect broader economic issues, including general inflation, high supply costs, and global uncertainties affecting the food supply chain. Despite higher grocery prices, farmers’ incomes have decreased due to high production costs and interest rates.