27 Jun 2024 --- The cost of hosting a 10-person barbeque on the Fourth of July this year will hit US$99 — the highest on record. Beef, beer, soda and lettuce will make up 64% of the total cost, according to Rabobank figures. Rabobank’s yearly BBQ Index, which measures the cost of staple ingredients for a Fourth of July barbeque, shows an inflation gain of 32% since 2019 for the annual celebration. The bank's findings reveal particularly interesting retail and consumer behavior regarding certain products, such as beef, where prices have hit unprecedented levels in the US. In an effort to adapt to prolonged food inflation, many retailers are prepared to take a loss on beef sales as they know customers may be willing to buy other items.
