There are predictions the cost of everyday grocery items and fresh fruits and vegetables could soar to dizzying new heights, hitting hip pockets hard.

Some major food and grocery manufacturers across the nation are facing up to 700 per cent cost increases.

Chief of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Tanya Barden, says there were a number of factors as to why it was happening.

She says huge increases to shipping charges, as well as COVID safety measures have had an impact, including freight disruption, adverse weather events and global increases to fuel prices.

“Unfortunately a really difficult time where all costs are increasing across the board for basically all food and grocery products, to make them and to move them across the country,” she told Peter Psaltis, filling in on 4BC Drive.

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