BBQ Facts Ahead of Biggest Grill Day of the Year

Tomorrow we will be celebrating our nation’s birthday and along with the fireworks comes gathering with family and friends and of course grilling or BBQ as July Fourth ranks as the most popular day of the year to grill.
Rabobank’s BBQ Index examines the ingredients of a 10 person BBQ and then compares costs over the years.
For example, in 2009 a 10 person BBQ would have set you back $51.90 and on Friday that price tag will be $66.82, a 29 percent jump from last year’s cost. Rabobank’s Protein Economist Don Close shares the past several years’ stats
Close: “That is following a 13 percent increase in 2009, 25 percent increase in 2013 and then the 29 percent increase this year. So yes, we’ve seen more of an increase in 2014 and a succession of higher prices.”
Close continues with some of the why behind the increase
Close: “The big drivers in that increase, certainly the increase in beef prices is the number one driver — but in all animal protein. The second one is with the international demand for cheese, the cheese on that cheeseburger is certainly a factor.”