Families planning a Fourth of July cookout in 2026 can expect to pay more at the grocery store, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual marketbasket survey. The survey found the average cost of a holiday cookout for 10 people is $73.82, or $7.38 per person.
The total cost is $2.90 higher than last year, a 4 percent increase. The increase closely mirrors the nation’s overall inflation rate of 4.2 percent for the 12 months ending in May.
Farm Bureau said this year’s cookout is the most expensive since it began tracking prices in 2016. However, after adjusting for inflation, costs have remained relatively stable in recent years and remain below the inflation-adjusted peak recorded in 2022.
The survey found prices increased for 10 of the 12 items included in the cookout basket. Among the items posting higher prices were ground beef, pork and beans, strawberries and hamburger buns.
Ground beef showed one of the largest increases among major proteins. The price of 2 pounds of ground beef rose 5.5 percent to $14.06. Farm Bureau attributed the increase in part to reduced cattle supplies as ranchers continue rebuilding herds following several years of drought.
Strawberries also experienced a significant increase, rising 12.4 percent to $5.27 for two pints. Farm Bureau said a damaging frost in Florida reduced production by destroying young plants early in the growing season. Higher labor expenses and increased transportation and refrigeration costs also contributed to the increase.
The price of a 32-ounce can of pork and beans climbed to $3.06, up 13.8 percent from 2025. According to the survey, higher aluminum costs increased the expense of manufacturing food cans. Hamburger buns rose 7.7 percent to $2.53 per package, reflecting higher production, labor and transportation costs.
Not all items increased in price. Potato salad declined 17.8 percent to $2.91, while a 16-ounce bag of potato chips fell slightly to $4.76. Farm Bureau said lower egg prices, as poultry flocks recovered from avian influenza, helped reduce potato salad costs. Strong potato harvests also contributed to lower prices for both potato salad and chips.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said higher grocery prices do not necessarily result in higher returns for farmers. He noted that farmers receive about 6 percent of the food dollar after expenses and continue to face challenges from natural disasters and rising production costs.
The survey is based on data collected by volunteer shoppers in every state and Puerto Rico. Read the full Market Intel on the 2026 Fourth of July Cookout Survey here.
PHOTO: Hamburger Picnic with Chips and Fruit. (iStock-#531564300 │ bhofack2)
