Grocery prices "shouldn't be a taboo subject," Andreas Muratidi of Nowra Farmers Market says.
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De-stocked grocery stores have become a common sight in the Shoalhaven over the past week or so.
Prices for some common items have also fluctuated - but this is often due to panic buying, rather than price gouging according to Mr Muratidi.
"Our profit margins have remained the same today as they were a month ago," he said.
"Because of unprecedented spike in demand, big supermarkets have started to purchase alot of the product that we purchase, which has driven the price up for us. That drives up the price fruit and vegetables sell for.
"A head of iceberg lettuce at the moment costs us $6. We've chosen to take a hit on some items so that isn't passed on to the customer."
It's not sustainable for the business to absorb the price rises for all products.
Mr Muratidi said prices will return to normal when people return to their normal shopping habits.
"Over the weekend we saw prices for potatoes drop by $7 a bag because demand dropped," he said.
"We have great faith in the food supply network - we produce more food than we eat in Australia.
"If people stop stockpiling, prices will drop."
He said those hoping to avoid price rises in their normal shop would need to get creative.
"The hardest-hit products are those that area easy to freeze, and they've become more expensive," he said.
"But apples, for example, have stayed about the same, because people aren't purchasing them in bulk.
"You might need to get a bit creative with recipes at the moment."