Southeast Grillers Get a Break on Fourth of July Costs

As grills fire up across the Southeast, here’s what you can expect when shopping for your Fourth of July celebration. The American Farm Bureau’s latest market basket survey pegs the average cookout for ten at $70.92, or about $7.09 a person. But in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, you’re in luck—it’s cheaper here, averaging $68.93, up just 30 cents from last year.

Ground beef is where you’ll feel the pinch. Two pounds now cost $13.33, a record high. Drought has shrunk the nation’s cattle herd, and screwworm concerns are putting pressure on imports. Chicken, on the other hand, held steady at $7.79, and pork chops dropped nearly 9%, down to $14.13 for three pounds.

Side dish costs are a mixed bag. Labor-intensive produce like strawberries and lemons saw modest price bumps. But ingredients for potato salad—like celery, onions, and potatoes—are actually down.

Farm Bureau also reminds us: farmers receive only 15.9 cents of every food dollar, even as input costs stay high. So when you’re enjoying that burger or bowl of baked beans, take a moment to appreciate the Southeastern producers who make it all possible.