The National Farmers Union (NFU) in the U.S. has released the 2023 numbers of the Farmer’s Share of the food dollar for several items typically served at a Fourth of July cookout.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said on average, less than 15 cents of every one of those dollars spent on food makes it back to farmers and ranchers. For some summer cookout staples, it’s even less.
That bag of potato chips? Less than 5% makes it back to potato growers, and just 3% goes to wheat growers for the hamburger buns for those burgers on the grill.
“Year after year we’re seeing a troubling trend of farmers earning less and less of the dollars that Americans spend at the grocery store,” said Rob Larew.
“Whether it’s the highly consolidated meatpacking industry, or harmful mergers in the grocery sector, farmers and consumers are being squeezed out of their hard-earned money.”
Last year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the farmer’s share of the food dollar had reached a historic low at just 14.5 cents of every dollar spent.
President Larew added, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Through our Fairness for Farmers campaign, we’re fighting for a 2023 Farm Bill that creates fairer and more competitive markets that benefit farmers and consumers.”
Included in the 2023 Fourth of July Farmer’s Share numbers are:
- 8ct Hamburger Buns: Retail price, $3.49. Farmer’s Share, $0.10
- 2lbs Ground Beef: Retail price, $11.07. Farmer’s Share, $3.42
- 1lb Tomatoes: Retail price, $2.00. Farmer’s Share, $0.42
- 1lb Lettuce: Retail price, $2.79. Farmer’s Share, $0.76
- Party Size Potato Chips: Retail price, $5.99. Farmer’s Share, $0.29
- 2l Soda: Retail price, $1.19. Farmer’s Share, $0.09
Data for this publication was sourced from USDA NASS, and other industry sources. Click here for more information on the Farmer’s Share.
Source: National Farmers Union (NFU). Original release here
Cover image: Credit NFU
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