The cookout includes 12 staple items. Hamburger buns, beef and potato salad were up in price this year while chicken breast, lemonade and chocolate chip cookies saw price drops. “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,” said Roger Cryan, chief economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The cost of beef was up 4% this year to $11.54 for 2 pounds due to the cost of feed for cattle and decreased herd size. Potato prices also rose because of poor growing weather, the Farm Bureau said. Potatoes were up 5% to $3.44 for 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad. One package of hamburger buns saw the highest increase at 17% — $2.26 for a pack. “Don’t assume farmers come out as winners from higher prices at the grocery store either.