Just one year after the White House celebrated a discount on the price of Fourth of July barbecues, Americans are facing an increase in the cost of the festivities.
On July 1, 2021, the White House tweeted, “Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year.”
The statement continued, “It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish.”
The tweet included a GIF showing the different prices of items included in a Fourth of July barbecue.
One part of the GIF said, “The cost of a Fourth of July cookout in 2021 is down $0.16 from last year.”
Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year. It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish. pic.twitter.com/7h9qLauIbC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 1, 2021
The Farm Bureau analysis from 2021 showed “the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people remains affordable at $59.50, or less than $6 per person. The cost for the cookout is down just 16 cents (less than 1%) from last year, but 8% higher compared to 2019.”
The analysis from this year stated American consumers “will pay $69.68 for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream.”
The bureau pointed out the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 Americans is $69.68, amounting to less than $7 per person.
The analysis explained it is a 17% or $10 increase from last year.
AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan said in a statement, “Despite higher food prices, the supply chain disruptions and inflation have made farm supplies more expensive; like consumers, farmers are price-takers not price-makers.”
He added, “Bottom line, in many cases the higher prices farmers are being paid aren’t covering the increase in their farm expenses. The cost of fuel is up and fertilizer prices have tripled.”
The administration’s 2021 tweet received criticism.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) replied, saying, “Apparently, no one at the Biden [White House] has been to the gas station recently. The average price for a gallon of gas is $3.15.”
She continued, “This is the HIGHEST price for a gallon of gas since 2014 and a 42% INCREASE from last year.”
Apparently, no one at the Biden @WhiteHouse has been to the gas station recently.
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) July 1, 2021
The average price for a gallon of gas is $3.15.
This is the HIGHEST price for a gallon of gas since 2014 and a 42% INCREASE from last year.
Earlier this month, CNN reported record gas prices pushed inflation up to 8.6% for the 12 months ending in May.