Americans planning to host summer barbecues are facing significant price increases, with the cost of a standard BBQ for 10 people now averaging $161, or about $16 per person, according to the newly released Wells Fargo summer BBQ food report [1]. While overall cookout costs have risen 2.4% year over year, the most notable increase is in hamburger beef, which has surged by 14%—the largest jump among grilling staples [1].
Other popular barbecue items have also seen price hikes: chicken and pork products are up 3% from the previous year and are considered the more cost-friendly options, while hot dogs and frankfurters have increased by 5% [1]. Ready-made sides such as potato salad are up 3%, cornbread is up 4%, raw vegetables are up 6%, and desserts have risen between 1% and 4% [1]. The report highlights that pre-made grocery items, like pre-cut vegetable trays and fully cooked ribs, carry significant premiums, adding $7 and $4 per pound respectively compared to their raw counterparts [1].
These food price increases align with the broader inflation trend reflected in the May consumer price index (CPI), which rose 0.5% in May and 4.2% from a year earlier—the highest annual figure since April 2023 [1]. Robin Wenzel, head of the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, noted that while fresh fruits and vegetables may see some price relief as the summer progresses due to increased supply, prepared foods are likely to continue rising in price due to higher labor, packaging, and energy costs [1].
Wenzel advised budget-conscious hosts to prepare more items from scratch and opt for cost-effective proteins like chicken and pork. She also recommended including eggs (down 14%), watermelon, and strawberries (both down 3%) to help offset higher costs in other categories [1].
CONCLUSION
The Wells Fargo report underscores that inflation continues to impact summer barbecue costs, with hamburger beef seeing the steepest increase at 14%. Consumers can mitigate some of these price hikes by choosing less expensive proteins and preparing sides from scratch. Overall, the data points to ongoing inflationary pressures on household food budgets this summer.