I Asked ChatGPT How Much Grocery Prices Will Rise in 2026 — Here’s What It Said
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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You’ve most likely noticed that grocery prices have felt more expensive this year. From January 2025 to September 2025, grocery prices have risen 1.7%, CNN reported. Specifically, the past year has seen a 5.3% increase on nonalcoholic beverages and a 5.2% increase on meats, poultry, fish and eggs.
How much will our grocery bills go up in 2026? ChatGPT responded with a list of predictions from different sources. Below is how much groceries could go up this year, according to ChatGPT.
Also here are ways to save money on groceries, thanks to ChatGPT.
What the Forecasts Say
Those looking for relief at the grocery store won’t be happy with this first finding. ChatGPT cited the Economic Research Service (ERS) when reporting that all food — restaurants included — will get 2.7% more expensive this year. When citing reports from The Dairy Site, ChatGPT said food inflation is expected to let up even more in 2026, but could still go up about 1.2% in some scenarios.
What Would Affect 2026 Grocery Prices?
According to the AI chatbot, many factors play in determining how much groceries will cost. Extreme weather or animal disease outbreaks can slow down or halt food production, which then creates a scarcity, causing produce prices to go up. Additionally, ChatGPT said that if labor costs continue to stay high, that could translate into higher grocery prices for consumers. Heightened energy prices would also drive up the cost of groceries.
ChatGPT also highlighted geopolitical issues that could raise grocery prices. President Trump’s tariffs were partly to blame for driving up prices in stores. More tariffs and new import or export policies could make groceries costlier this year.
What Items Will See the Biggest Price Jumps?
According to ChatGPT, consumers may see high prices on beef and red meat due to cattle herds shrinking. Sugar and sweets are predicted to get more expensive because of “demand, supply constraints or increased cost of inputs,” ChatGPT said. Lastly, nonalcoholic beverages may, again, be costly for shoppers. ChatGPT said this is because “coffee and juices are exposed to global weather (droughts, floods) and commodity price swings.”
What Items Will Decline in Price?
On the flip side, some items are predicted to get less expensive. If weather and supply conditions are more favorable, vegetable, fats and oil prices will go down, according to ChatGPT. Though red meat is forecasted to be more expensive, the AI chatbot said other meats like poultry and lunch meat as well as fish and seafood are expected to get cheaper. ChatGPT reported that dairy and milk, as well as cereal are projected to have price decreases as well.
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