Total cost for a classic barbecue increases by nearly 10%, new report finds ahead of summer

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Millions are planning get-togethers with family and friends this weekend, high prices be damned. Well, tonight in our series of affordability in America, senior business and tech correspondent Jolene Kent has some last-minute tips on how to save some money.

[00:00:13]The smell of a Memorial Day barbecue is always a hit.

[00:00:18]But for many, the cost this year is not.

[00:00:20]>> Explain to me how $300 worth of groceries gets you basically nothing now. A new report analyzing the prices of some popular food brands found the total for a classic barbecue has increased by nearly 10%, almost triple last year's jump.

[00:00:37]Beef hot dogs are up more than 18%.

[00:00:40]Fresh ground beef has spiked nearly 15%, and barbecue sauce will cost you almost 12% more. All that has helped send consumer sentiment to a new record low in May. The consumer is very nervous and really watching every penny, and the worst is yet to come. Phil Lempert of supermarketguru.com says the main reason is the war in Iran. Number one is the price of diesel because all of our food, whether it's imported or whether it's domestic, travels by truck to our supermarket. Then we've got the fertilizer problem. Those prices are up.

[00:01:15]So, if you're going to have that barbecue and you want corn on the cob, you're going to pay twice as much for it. For shoppers needing to stretch each dollar, Lempert suggests swapping name brands for store brands, buying frozen instead of fresh, and always have a game plan.

[00:01:31]Have that shopping list when you go into the store. Make sure that you're really thinking about what you're going to be serving at that barbecue and portion it out.

[00:01:46]While overall retail remains retail spending remains healthy, that's really driven by higher gas prices. And as for what you Who expect to pay for your groceries this summer? Unfortunately, as long as the Strait of Hormuz is shut, those prices are expected to continue to go up, Tony. All right, Jo Ling. Thank you very much.