NASHVILLE, TN (RFD News) — Fourth of July cookouts will cost more this year, but higher grocery bills do not mean farmers are keeping more of the food dollar.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says a holiday cookout for 10 people will cost $73.82 in 2026, or $7.38 per person. That is up $2.90 from last year, a 4 percent increase.
Ground beef rose 5.5 percent to $14.06 for two pounds as ranchers continue rebuilding herds after drought. Strawberries climbed 12.4 percent, while hamburger buns increased 7.7 percent.
There were a few bright spots. Potato salad fell 17.8 percent as egg prices eased and healthy potato harvests helped lower costs. Potato chips also slipped slightly from last year.
The survey notes farmers receive about 6 percent of the food dollar after expenses. The larger story is consumer inflation, farm input costs, and the push for a modernized farm bill.
READ MORE: 4th of July Cookout Costs Rise, Farmers Get Just 6 Cents of Every Food Dollar
