Major supermarkets are working to keep their shelves stocked as food businesses and transporters struggle with staff shortages due to COVID-19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Abattoirs in Victoria and NSW have been forced to close their doors for short periods as staff isolation from coronavirus cases.
It is raising fears there could be a potential shortage of red meat in the coming weeks.
A Coles Supermarkets spokesperson said they are working with suppliers to address supply chain issues.
"As called out in recent months, we have been working with our suppliers and other stakeholders to address a number of supply chain issues including availability of shipping pallets and transport capacity, to ensure we can continue to provide our customers with the food and drinks they need," the spokesperson said.
"We apologise to our customers if an item they wish to purchase is unavailable when they do their shopping, and our team are working hard to replenish our shelves as quickly as possible."
The spokesperson said they are also experience staff shortages as team members wait for test results.
"We are also seeing an increased number of team members being required to isolate due to household exposure to COVID while they wait for test results," the spokesperson said.
"We are continuing to monitor team member availability across our business."
Other stories:
Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive officer Patrick Hutchinson said current supply chain issues were the biggest threat for major impact on the country's food supply chain since the start of the pandemic.
"We are experiencing an unprecedented wave of staffing unpredictability," Mr Hutchinson said.
"As COVID spreads in the community, our industry workers are unable to present for work for at least seven days should someone in their family or household test positive, under the current national protocol.
"This is an industry where workers living together is common."
Mr Hutchison said federal and state governments need to prioritise Australia's food chain production and supply.
"We don't want to see a situation of widespread supply shortages exacerbated by panic buying," he said.
A Woolworths spokesperson said while Victorian stores weren't seeing as many shortages as their NSW and Queensland counterparts, there may be some increase in the coming weeks.
"We're currently experiencing delays with some stock deliveries to our stores due to the impacts of COVID-19 across the food and grocery supply chain," they said.
"As a result, our stores may have reduced availability of some products at points throughout the day before they receive their next delivery.
"Deliveries continue to arrive daily and we're doing all we can with our suppliers to restock our shelves as quickly as possible, with a particular focus on fresh food and essentials lines. We expect to see availability improve over the coming weeks.
"We know this is frustrating and thank our customers for their patience. As always, we ask customers to be mindful of others in their community and buy only what they need."
- with AAP
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Download our app on iOS and Android
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News