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Hard-working Americans looking to fire up the grill this weekend are facing major sticker shock before they even light the charcoal.
As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, the newly released Wells Fargo summer BBQ food report reveals that hosting a standard summer barbecue for 10 people has climbed to an average of $161 — or about $16 per person.
While total cookout costs are up 2.4% year over year, the real pricing pain is hiding right on the meat tray: the quintessential American hamburger beef has skyrocketed by 14%.
“Regarding food inflation, price increases this season will really depend on the category. For fresh fruits and vegetables, we anticipate some relief as summer unfolds.
Growers are motivated by higher prices to plant more acreage, so increased supply should help moderate price hikes and may actually offer consumers a bit of a break,” Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute head Robin Wenzel told Fox News Digital.
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“However, for those who value convenience and opt for prepared foods, expect prices to edge up,” she warned.
“These items are driven more by labor, packaging and energy costs than the underlying commodities themselves. As consumers continue to pay for convenience, retailers are able to maintain their margins with higher pricing.”
Though burgers are taking the biggest hit from inflation, so are other grilling favorites. Chicken and pork products rose 3% from the previous year and are seen as the “cost-friendly” option, while hot dogs and frankfurters are up 5%.
Ready-made sides like potato salad are up 3% because of higher manufacturing wages being passed on to consumers, the report notes. Other favorites like cornbread are up 4%, raw vegetables are up 6%, and if you’re saving room for dessert, sweet-treat prices have increased anywhere from 1% to 4%.
The higher price tags fall in line with the May consumer price index (CPI) – a broad measure of how much everyday goods like gasoline, groceries and rent cost – which rose 0.5% in May and 4.2% from a year earlier. The annual figure is the highest since April 2023.
Pre-made grocery store shortcuts can be a budget-buster during the summer, as buying a pre-cut vegetable tray adds a $7 premium to your bill, while buying fully cooked, pre-packaged ribs costs $4 more per pound than buying them raw.
“Hosts can save by preparing ribs from scratch, allowing a bit more room to indulge in prepared veggie trays if desired,” Wenzel said. “Budget-conscious hosts should thoughtfully weigh where to splurge. While pre-cooked ribs are more expensive, pork still offers a better value than beef, which remains a costly grill option.”
Asked to craft the best “inflation-busting” menu, Wenzel recommended serving up chicken, pork, made-from-scratch sides like deviled eggs (eggs are down 14%), watermelon, strawberries (both fruits are down 3%) and cookies or ice cream for dessert.
“When hosting a BBQ for 10 on a strict budget, plan wisely with proteins and look for value where it counts… the decision between homemade and prepared foods is key. Making from scratch, such as potato salad can save money, but convenience has its place,” Wenzel said. “Beer and wine prices haven’t climbed much, but they’ll still add to the total, so asking guests to BYOB is a smart way to keep costs down.”
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FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.
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