Plan Your Budget-Friendly Cookout: AFBF Reveals Insights on 2023 Independence Day Food Prices

Families can expect to pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout for 10, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation marketbasket survey.

While prices have decreased 3% year over year, the grocery bill is still 14% higher than prices just two years ago, AFBF explains, with 2023 coming in as the second highest on record over the last 10 years. Additionally, higher prices at the store are not only a challenge for consumers, producers know it’s not been great for their operations either.

“The slight downward direction in the cost of a cookout doesn’t counter the dramatic increases we’ve seen over the past few years. Families are still feeling the pinch of high inflation along with other factors keeping prices high,” says Roger Cryan, AFBF chief economist. “Don’t assume farmers come out as winners from higher prices at the grocery store either. They’re price takers, not price makers, whose share of the retail food dollar is just 14%. Farmers have to pay for fuel, fertilizer and other expenses, which have all gone up in cost.”

 The AFBF marketbasket survey shows increased costs of hamburger buns (up 17% for a package of eight), beef (up 4% per pound of ground beef) and homemade potato salad (up 5%), while decreased prices have been seen in chicken breasts (down 9%), lemonade (down 16%) and cookies (down 10%).

AFBF reports several factors have contributed to cost increases, including a shrinking cattle herd due to implications of drought and high feed prices that have driven beef prices up, as well as higher potato prices caused by poor weather and a drop in production. Overall, processed food, like bread, has seen price increased due to general inflation.

Here’s a list of common summer cookout favorites, their prices and change year over year, provided by AFBF.

Individual Prices, AFBF 2023 Summer Cookout
- 2 pounds of ground beef, $11.54 (+4%)
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.14 (-9%)
- 3 pounds of pork chops, $14.37 (-6%)
- 1 pound of cheese, $3.53 (no change)
- 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.26 (+17%)
- 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.44 (+5%)
- 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.44 (-3%)
- 16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.53 (-4%)
- 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.90 (-10%)
- ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.29 (+3%)
- 2 pints of strawberries, $4.56 (+3%)
- 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $3.73 (-16%)

While some prices seem high, when considered in a global context, AFBF says Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country.

“While the increased costs are difficult and have made it more challenging for some families to put food on the table, it’s important to remember that America still has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, which is due in part to strong farm bill programs,” says Zippy Duvall, AFBF president. “As we all celebrate the holiday, we encourage members of Congress to consider the contributions of the farm bill to our security and independence by ensuring a safe and abundant food supply.”

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