Canadians can get a clearer picture of 2025 grocery costs thanks to University of Guelph researchers contributing to the 2025 Canada Food Price Report, now in its 15th edition.
Using cutting-edge machine learning and large language models (LLMs), the report predicts a three to five per cent increase in food prices next year, with the average family of four expected to spend $16,833.67—an increase of $801.56 from 2024. The steepest price hikes are anticipated in meat and vegetables.
Dr. Graham Taylor, lead researcher from U of G’s School of Engineering, explained that the team leverages historical data and variables like global conflicts, climate change, and exchange rates. This year, LLMs simulated subject-matter experts to deliver improved forecasts.
“LLMs can read the whole internet and unlock that knowledge to guide our predictions, potentially offering a better forecast than a person or traditional statistical model,” Taylor said.
The methodology was developed in …