National survey finds Ohioans will pay slightly more for July 4th cookout
U.S. consumers will pay slightly less for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, based on a new American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey.
The average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $67.73, which breaks down to less than $7 per person. The overall cost for the cookout is down just three percent or about $2 from last year, with prices being impacted by higher feed costs for livestock, reduced cattle inventories due to drought and a less than favorable potato crop.
However, as a result of ongoing inflationary factors, the current price tag for a summer cookout is still 14-percent higher than just two years ago.
“I think it is important to put our nation’s food supply in a global context,” said AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan. “Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than people in any other country in the world thanks to a vibrant agriculture sector supported by strong farm bill programs.”
Survey results showed the retail price for two pounds of ground beef at $11.54, up three percent from last year.
Other foods in the national survey, including pork chops, homemade potato salad and hamburger buns, also increased in price, while chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies declined in price compared to a year ago.
Ohio survey results
For Ohio shoppers, the summer cookout receipt will be slightly higher than the national average for the same market basket items at $68.88, with the biggest differences being noticed in strawberries (33-percent higher), cookies (28-percent higher), pork and beans (20-percent higher) and chips (seven-percent higher).
Ohioans will pay substantially lower prices on items like chicken breasts (17-percent lower), ice cream (14-percent lower), hamburger buns (eight-percent lower) and potato salad (seven-percent lower).
Individual Prices for Ohio
Two pounds of ground beef, $11.98
Two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $6.74
32 ounces of pork & beans, $2.92
Three pounds of center cut pork chops, $14.34
2.5 quarts of fresh-squeezed lemonade, $3.76
2.5 pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.20
Eight hamburger buns, $2.09
Half-gallon of vanilla ice cream, $4.57
13-ounce bag of chocolate chip cookies, $4.98
Two pints of strawberries, $6.08
One pound of sliced cheese, $3.36
16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.86.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.