Families preparing for Fourth of July celebrations will encounter high grocery prices, according to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual marketbasket survey. This year’s Independence Day cookout is estimated to cost $70.92 for ten guests, only 30 cents less than last year’s record-high price.
The cost per person stands at $7.09, marking it as the second-highest since the survey began in 2013. The survey includes popular items such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries, and ice cream. While not exhaustive, it offers a snapshot of current food prices.
Samantha Ayoub, AFBF Associate Economist, commented on the situation: “Inflation and lower availability of some food items continue to keep prices stubbornly high for America’s families.” She added that farmers are “price takers” with their share of the retail dollar being just 15%, despite increased operational costs.
The survey noted increases in beef, potato salad, and canned pork and beans prices but reported decreases in pork chops, chips, and hamburger buns costs. Ground beef saw a 4.4% rise to $13.33 for two pounds. Pork and beans went up by 20 cents to $2.69 while potato salad increased by 6.6% to $3.54.
Factors contributing to these price changes include fewer cattle available for processing and tariffs affecting canned goods’ prices. Egg costs remain high due to avian influenza impacts but have decreased from earlier peaks.
Conversely, pork chop prices dropped by 8.8% to $14.13 for three pounds; chips are now $4.80 per bag; hamburger buns decreased by 2.6% to $2.35 due to increased pork availability and eased demand for potatoes.
Despite these near-historic highs in food costs domestically, Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food compared to other countries globally.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall emphasized the importance of farmers’ contributions: “We can celebrate America’s independence every year in part because of the hard work of the farmers and ranchers who contribute to the nation’s food independence.” He urged Congress members to pass a new five-year farm bill post-holiday break for continued agricultural leadership.
The federal government’s broader report shows a general increase of 2.2% in home food expenses over the past year.
The July Fourth cookout survey is part of Farm Bureau’s marketbasket series which also covers Thanksgiving dinner costs annually.
Data was collected nationwide by volunteer shoppers including Farm Bureau members across all states and Puerto Rico.
