Inflation might be even more explosive than Fourth of July fireworks this year as families grapple with pricier cookouts and holiday plans.
The cost of a July Fourth cookout is expected to be 17% higher than last year, according to a market basket survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation. That is a number that outpaces headline inflation, as prices on average are 8.6% higher from a year ago, according to the consumer price index. It also represents a major reversal from the small savings for the holiday that the Biden White House infamously touted in 2021 — to the derision of commentators.
The average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $69.68, which is about $10 more than it was last Fourth of July. Exactly how expensive a barbecue will be, though, will depend on the attendees, as some food products have boomed in price at a more breakneck pace than others.
For instance, the average price of 2 pounds of ground beef this year will cost $11.12, a staggering 36% increase from last year, and hamburger buns to pair with those burgers are up 16%, according to the AFBF data. In a bit of good news, sliced cheese has actually fallen in price by 13% to about $3.50 per pound.
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For those who prefer poultry, 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts now cost $8.99, up 33% from last year. The cost of pork chops and pork and beans has also ballooned more than 30%.
The side dishes and beverages for a Fourth of July party will also be causing some discomfort at the checkout line. Potato salad is up 19%, and fresh-squeezed lemonade now costs 22% more than in 2021. A half-gallon of vanilla iced cream for dessert has gone up by 10%.
Cold beer goes hand and hand with July Fourth cookouts. For those who like to imbibe, the price of store-bought alcoholic beverages has only increased by 2.7% from last year, according to CPI data.
The inflation is a bad look for the Biden administration, which has been receiving increasingly unfavorable ratings due to the higher prices. Last year, the White House was widely mocked for boasting that the cost of a Fourth of July cookout was down 16 cents from 2020.
“Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year. It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish,” the White House tweeted to much derision.
This year, the White House has yet to tweet about the cost of a July Fourth cookout.
In fact, President Joe Biden’s opponents are using costs associated with the holiday to attack the administration and his leadership.
The Republican National Committee posted a tweet this week highlighting the higher costs of celebrating and branded the rising prices as “Bidenflation.” Additionally, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) blasted the president for the holiday inflation in a Tuesday message on social media.
“July 4th cookouts this year cost 17% more than last year. Americans are about to experience one of the most expensive Fourth of July weekends thanks to the Biden Price Hike,” Tillis said.
The Senate Republican Policy Committee posted a screenshot from the White House’s notorious 16-cent tweet and mocked it by superimposing writing over it showing the $10 increase for this year’s festivities.
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) pointed out to the Washington Examiner that millions of people have had to dip into their savings to pay for the higher prices. He suggested that a recession is on the way.
“Americans are facing a long summer of higher prices in President Biden’s cruel economy and should brace for it to get even worse. At this point, the question is not ‘Will we have a recession?’ It’s ‘How harsh will it be, and how long will it be?'” said Brady, the ranking member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
But it isn’t just food that is going to cost more this July Fourth.
Many people travel during the holiday given that families have children out of school for the summer and it’s a three-day weekend for most. This year, gas prices will put a damper on travel plans, as they have increased far beyond food or other expenses.
The average price for a gallon of gas is now a whopping $4.87 nationwide, according to AAA. That is up about 26 cents from just a month ago and $1.76 more than it was this time last year.
Deciding to take an airplane instead of a car is also costly. The average price of a domestic airline ticket is $383, a 33% increase from last year when the price was at about $288.
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Because of the high demand for travel combined with staffing shortages at airlines and among air traffic controllers, there is expected to be a glut of flight delays and cancellations this Fourth of July weekend.
Due to the higher food, gas, and overall travel costs, many will cut back their spending this year. A recent WalletHub poll found that two-thirds of those surveyed are planning to spend less this year than in 2021, and nearly 60% said that inflation is affecting their holiday plans.
