And it is hurting the hip pocket.

Port Macquarie-Hastings families are feeling the pinch with the rising costs of essential services.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the prices of petrol in Port Macquarie, across the nation and internationally are "terrible".

"Nowhere has been spared," he said. "Port Macquarie's average price of fuel for the week beginning Monday, November 8 was $1.62.

"While it's not the most expensive regional town, it's certainly amongst them."

Mr Khoury said most places on the Mid North Coast have an average price of around $1.60, which is a record high amount.

"There's no short term relief in sight and we are hoping for things to stabilise before Christmas, but it's so volatile right now that it's difficult to tell," he said.

Mr Khoury said fuel prices have a immense impact on inflation and cost of living pressures.

"There's a concern globally, where economists are increasingly worried that unless crude output increases considerably there is a genuine concern that oil prices, and energy prices more broadly, can actually have a negative impact on economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic," he said.

Kenny Little from Ken Little's Fruit and Veg said prices of items from the shop vary, in line with cost of freight due to the rising cost of petrol.

"The price of fuel has gone up horrifically, so obviously the cost of freight has to go up," he said.

"You can't expect us to get semi trailers out of Sydney for the same price we were 12 to 18 months ago, it's just not going to happen.

"It's added a couple of dollars to every box we get now."

Mr Little said the flow on impact on the price of vegetables and fruit sold from the shop has been minimal.

"Overall fruit and vegetables prices are still pretty reasonable to me," he said.

Dave Thurtell is the owner of Turtle's Premium Meats at Wauchope and said he's had to increase the price of meat, including beef and lamb, three times since February.

"It's not getting any better," he said.

Mr Thurtell said there's still a shortage of stock, due to the impact of the drought which hit farms hard.

He's also had to increase the price of meat due to the freight cost associated with rising fuel costs.

Mr Thurtell estimated meat had gone up $3 a kilogram since he bought the butcher in February.

The butcher sources beef from Kurri Kurri, lamb from Cowra and pork from Tamworth.

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Michael Mowle wrote about rising living costs in the organisation's newsletter.

Mr Mowle said unfortunately there are indicators further price increases might be on the way in the lead up to Christmas.

This, he said is due to demand for commodities outweighing supply in several areas, including the housing market.

Read more: Families move out of Port Macquarie amid soaring regional rental property prices

Mr Mowle also referenced the extreme skilled labour shortage in Australia construction, manufacturing and other sectors where there is pressure to meet increased demand with a capped workforce.

"A shortage of materials, as well as this labour shortage has already resulted in higher prices for locally produced goods," he said.

"Although the full impact is yet to be captured in published economic data, the overall trend indicates a rising cost of living."

Mr Mowle said it's a scenario where there's been a 'collision of multiple factors'.

Mr Mowle is aware some employers are offering incentives, such as accommodation, to skilled workers in order to attract them to the area and keep them.

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