WASHINGTON — The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released findings from its annual marketbasket survey, which indicated a Fourth of July cookout in 2025 will cost $70.92 for 10 guests.

Those celebrating Independence Day will face higher prices at the grocery store, with this year’s total cookout cost down by only 30¢ from last year’s record-high cost.

At $7.09 per person, 2025 will be the second-highest cost since AFBF began the survey in 2013.

“Inflation and lower availability of some food items continue to keep prices stubbornly high for America’s families,” said Samantha Ayoub, AFBF associate economist. “High prices don’t mean more money for farmers, however. Farmers are price takers, not price makers. Their share of the food retail dollar is just 15%. The cost of running their farm is up — from labor and transportation to taxes.”

The AFBF survey showed cookout favorites include traditional items like cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.

Not all these crowd favorites will see an uptick in prices. AFBF reported drops in the cost of pork chops, chips and hamburger buns. However, expect to see an increase in the cost of beef, potato salad and canned pork and beans.

The retail price for 2 lbs of ground beef increased 4.4% to $13.33. Pork and beans will cost $2.69, up 20¢ from last year. Potato salad is up 6.6% to $3.54.

Several factors have influenced these price increases, including herd contraction affecting the beef supply and tariffs on steel and aluminum leading to increased prices for canned goods. Additionally, the cost of eggs is still elevated despite the US Department of Agriculture’s efforts to bring them back down, which is affecting items like potato salad that often rely on eggs as an important ingredient. However, egg prices are notably lower than record highs earlier this year.

On the flip side, AFBF reported an 8.8% year-over-year drop in the price of a 3-lb package of pork chops, which now costs $14.13. Chips average $4.80 per bag, 10¢ less than in 2024. Hamburger buns are also less expensive by 2.6% at $2.35 per package.

AFBF noted that the amount of pork available at stores is up, pushing prices down. The demand for potatoes has eased, helping bring down the cost of chips. Furthermore, wheat prices are much lower than record highs three years ago, contributing to the slight decline in cost of buns.

While AFBF’s marketbasket survey offers an informal pulse on prices of foods associated with summer cookouts, the federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 2.2% compared to last year.

In the release of its report, AFBF stressed the importance of the work of farmers to ensure a safe and abundant food supply for US consumers. The group also emphasized the need for a farm bill to support US farmers’ continued efforts.

“We urge members of Congress to return from their holiday break and pass a new, modernized five-year farm bill,” AFBF said. “We appreciate efforts during the reconciliation process to address some issues facing agriculture, but only a new farm bill will bring the certainty farmers need to continue leading the world in agriculture.”