Memorial Day grilling prices rise 2026

Fox Business reported on May 22 that Americans heading into Memorial Day weekend are paying more for several core grilling items, citing April inflation data that showed higher prices for beef, hot dogs and fresh vegetables. The report said ground beef prices rose 14.5% from a year earlier and steak prices climbed 16.1%, while frankfurters were up 10.7%. Fresh vegetables rose 11.5% over the same period, with tomatoes up 39.7% and lettuce up 7.9%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said on May 12 that the food index rose 3.2% in the 12 months through April, while food at home increased 2.9%. The same release said the broader consumer price index rose 3.8% year over year in April, and food at home rose 0.7% from March. ### Which cookout staples got hit the hardest? Ground beef and steak posted the biggest protein increases in the Fox Business tally. (foxbusiness.com) The outlet said ground beef rose 14.5% over the last year and steak rose 16.1%, making burgers and steaks more expensive centerpieces for holiday cookouts. Frankfurters rose 10.7%, offering only partial relief for shoppers trading down from beef. (bls.gov) Fresh vegetables also moved higher. Fox Business said fresh vegetables were up 11.5% year over year through April, led by a 39.7% jump in tomatoes and a 7.9% increase in lettuce. Beer prices rose 2.2%, while cakes, cupcakes and cookies increased 5.1% and ice cream rose 2.7%, the report said. ### Why is beef rising faster than other grilling foods? (foxbusiness.com) U.S. cattle supplies are a central factor in the beef increase. Fox Business said cattle inventories have fallen to the lowest level in more than 70 years as ranchers dealt with drought and higher overhead costs, reducing herd sizes. Derrell Peel, a professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, told CBS News in April that there was “nothing to suggest any relief from high beef prices.” David Ortega, a food economist at Michigan State University, said he expected beef prices to “remain high for the remainder of this year and potentially into next year as well.” (foxbusiness.com) ### Are any cookout items getting cheaper? Chicken was one of the few exceptions in the Fox Business report. The outlet said chicken prices fell 0.7% from a year earlier, with fresh whole chicken down 1.8% and fresh and frozen chicken parts down 0.1%. Potatoes also declined 3% over the year. Datasembly, which analyzed a branded Memorial Day barbecue basket for the week ending May 16, said the total basket cost increased 9.6% from the same period in 2025. (cbsnews.com) The company said beef hot dogs rose 18.3% and fresh ground beef rose nearly 15%, while chicken thighs were the only item in its basket to post a decline, down 1.1%. ### How broad is the holiday spending backdrop? (foxbusiness.com) The Bureau of Labor Statistics said five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in April. Its April report said the index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 1.3% over the month, with beef up 2.7%, while fruits and vegetables rose 1.8%. AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, a Memorial Day weekend record. (datasembly.com) The travel group said 39.1 million would go by car and 3.66 million would fly. ### What will shoppers be watching next? Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day, and holiday grocery purchases will continue through the weekend as travelers gather for cookouts across the United States. (bls.gov) The next scheduled federal inflation update from the Bureau of Labor Statistics after the April release will show whether meat and produce prices keep rising into the summer grilling season. (midstates.aaa.com)