Forecast for Memorial Day weekend parties: Expensive!

Spiking cost of ground beef, other summer celebration ingredients show need for consistent trade policies

LANSING, Mich. — Michiganders will be paying more this year for staples of Memorial Day weekend as tariffs drive up the cost of everything from grilling utensils to ground beef for backyard barbeques.

Consider what goes into hamburgers this Memorial Day: Ground beef prices are up nearly 20% since December 2024 and romaine lettuce is up nearly 17%, according to the financial publication inc.com.

Potato chips costs are up more than 7%, according to Inc., and tomatoes are at their highest price in eight years, WXYZ reported. The cost of mustard is also on the rise because U.S. mustard producers get most of their mustard seed from Canada.

The price of a six-pack of bottles of Miller Lite American Lite Lager Beer rose more than 13% last year while grill tool costs went up nearly 18%, according to The Hill.

“Gathering together with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend will be more expensive because of the impact of tariffs on everything that goes into a backyard celebration,” said John Sellek, a spokesman for the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance. “It is time for Congress to enact smart and consistent trade and tariff policies that will lower prices for families in Michigan.”

“As we mark the unofficial start of summer with higher costs for virtually everything that goes into a backyard barbeque, it’s clear Congress needs to enact consistent and stable trade policies that keep costs affordable for Michiganders,” said Mark Fisk, a spokesman for MISTA.