Americans planning a Fourth of July cookout this year can expect to pay more, with the average cost for a traditional Independence Day meal for 10 people reaching a record $73.82, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The organization’s 2026 Summer Cookout Cost Survey found the average cookout will cost about $7.38 per person, an increase of $2.90, or 4%, from last year.
The survey includes common cookout items such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, potato chips, pork and beans, homemade potato salad, fresh strawberries, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.
While the total is the highest since the survey began in 2016, Farm Bureau said the increase closely mirrors overall inflation, which rose 4.2% during the 12 months ending in May.
Ground beef posted one of the largest increases. Two pounds now cost an average of $14.06, up 73 cents, or 5.5%, from last year and the highest beef price recorded in the survey. Farm Bureau attributed the increase to a smaller national cattle herd caused by years of drought and higher operating costs.
Chicken breasts also increased, with two pounds averaging $8.06, up 27 cents, while three pounds of pork chops rose 66 cents to $14.79.
Among side dishes and desserts, two pints of strawberries increased 58 cents, or 12.4%, to $5.27, while pork and beans posted the largest percentage increase, climbing 13.8% to $3.06. Chocolate chip cookies increased to $4.25 per package, and a half-gallon of ice cream rose to $5.99.
Some items became less expensive. Homemade potato salad ingredients declined 63 cents, or 17.8%, to $2.91, largely because egg prices fell as egg-laying flocks recovered from highly pathogenic avian influenza. A 16-ounce bag of potato chips also dropped slightly to $4.76.
Regional prices varied across the country. The West had the highest average cookout cost at $80 for 10 people, while the Northeast had the lowest average at $71.35. The Midwest averaged $71.45, and the South came in at $72.08.
According to the Farm Bureau, farmers receive less than 6 cents of every food dollar consumers spend, with most of the cost reflecting expenses for processing, packaging, transportation, marketing and retail.
The organization said rising production costs, including labor, fuel, fertilizer, equipment and land, continue to pressure farmers and ranchers despite higher grocery prices.
The Farm Bureau said the 2026 cookout basket increased at about the same rate as overall inflation, and inflation-adjusted costs remained nearly unchanged from last year.
