Sunday 29 May 2022 05:04 PM Memorial Day cookouts are costing $80 a house as meat prices surge 20% trends now
Americans are forking out more cash to pay for their Memorial Day cookouts as meat prices surge, with the cost of ground beef and chicken breasts hitting record highs.
Shoppers may experience sticker shock this summer when stocking up for holiday barbecues, as prices have increased for nearly every product.
The average cost of ground beef and chicken breasts, per pound, have increased by more than 20 percent between April 2021 and April 2022, USDA data revealed.
Burgers, hot dogs and other cookout fixings - such as sliced cheese, tomatoes and lettuce - have also increased in price.
This means the average American could be looking to spend more than $76 on their Memorial Day spread, DailyMail.com analysts determined. The total was calculated based on the current Walmart prices for America's most popular cookout foods.
Soaring cookout prices reflect the overall increase in food prices, fueled by the pandemic and increased rate of inflation. The U.S. saw its largest annual increase in food prices in 41 years between April 2021 and 2022, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 9.4 percent surge.
Grocery prices jumped 10.8 percent for the year, not adjusting for seasonal sways.
Americans are forking out more cash to pay for their Memorial Day cookouts as meat prices surge, with the cost of ground beef and chicken breasts hitting record highs. Meat prices are seen at a grocer in Hawaii on Friday
The average cost of ground beef and chicken breasts, per pound, have increased by more than 20 percent between April 2021 and April 2022
Skyrocketing food prices aren't exclusive to fresh meats and produce.
The price of frozen meat packages, not including poultry, has soared by 15.7 percent and frozen sausages by 24.4 percent, CNN analysts reported. Hot dogs saw a 14.5 percent price increase.
Packaged hot dog and hamburger buns rose by 11.2 percent, with ketchup and mustard spiking by 15.8 and 11.2 percent respectively.
Prices for fresh lettuce rose by 13.8 percent and tomatoes by 4.8 percent.
Carbonated beverages, such as soda, increased by 13.9 percent. Similarly, Market Watch reported a rise in alcoholic beverage prices. Beer prices increased by 5 percent and wine by 1.5 percent.
Additionally, the cost of propane, which is needed to fire most grills, has increased.
As consumers are met with rising prices at the grocery store, some experts are suggesting that instead of grilling out, families should consider more cost-effective options for feeding large gatherings, such as ordering pizza.
'The inflationary environment is starting to take its toll,' Michael Nepveux, senior analyst for animal protein at Stable USA, told Bloomberg. 'Instead of steak or chicken, we might have pasta or a pizza.'
