This Independence Day holiday, consumers face steeper prices for beef, vegetables, and fruits. Despite being the peak season for barbecues in the U.S., shoppers nationwide, including in California, will need to spend more on groceries.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and industry sources on July 2, beef prices, a staple for Independence Day barbecues, have surged significantly. Data from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) shows wholesale prices for ribeye rose from $9.61 per pound last year to $10.11 this year. Flank steak climbed from $7.38 to $8.72, and sirloin flap saw the largest jump, from $7.07 to $10.38. These increases directly translate to higher consumer prices.

Industry experts attribute the price spikes to a decades-low meat supply, driven by droughts and disease. The Washington State Beef Commission (WSBC) explained, “Without rain, grass becomes scarce, forcing ranchers to reduce herd sizes based on available pasture.” The WSBC and other experts predict this year’s cattle inventory will be the lowest on record, with recovery to previous levels potentially taking years.

Egg supplies have also dwindled due to avian flu, which led to widespread culling of laying hens. Rebuilding egg production takes time, and restoring cattle herds requires even longer. The NCBA noted, “It takes nine months for a calf to be born and at least two years for it to mature into beef.”

A Washington state butcher shop owner, quoted by media, remarked, “In nearly 40 years of business, I’ve never seen beef prices this high.”Beyond beef, prices for chicken, sausages, fruits, and vegetables—key barbecue ingredients—have also risen. California consumers, already grappling with some of the nation’s highest grocery costs, will face even steeper expenses this holiday. The Los Angeles Times (LAT), citing the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), reported that the average cost for a barbecue for 10 family members or friends in California is $90.06, 27.0% higher than the national average of $70.92.