A Geraldton butcher says he has seen a significant spike in sales as supermarket meat shortages leave consumers turning to local suppliers.
Key points:
- Major supermarket shortages are driving Geraldton consumers to small suppliers
- It follows growing demand for locally produced meat
- The industry says staff shortages are an ongoing concern
Mick Davey Butchers owner Rod O'Bree said his business had seen a 15 to 20 per cent increase in sales over the past month and many new customers.
"Definitely had a number of clients coming in saying they haven't been able to get stock and they're repeat sales now," he said.
Mr O'Bree said the bump in sales came after a steady increase in business over the past year, which he put down to promoting local suppliers and regenerative agricultural practices.
"We've doubled on last year's October, November and December [sales]. Basically, it just keeps rising," he said.
Mr O'Bree said other local butchers were also seeing strong demand.
"Even the local supermarket, Rigters, the boys are trying to push out as much product as they can," he said.
Labour shortages hit industry hard
Mr O'Bree said the region's widespread labour shortages were "quite tough".
"We've all got challenges ahead of us going forward. The next three months I think are going to be a bit messy," he said.
"Everybody's been struggling a little bit. There are bandaids at the moment. I think the big test will come when all of a sudden two or three [workers] are sick.
"Then food supply and a lot of other things are going to become very stretched.
The director-general of Emergency Management Australia Joe Buffone said empty shelves in stores were the result of staff shortages, not food supplies.
"There are no food shortages, as we speak right now … it's about the staffing levels," Mr Buffone said.
Emergency Management Australia is part of a national task force that is setting up new COVID testing arrangements for the industry.
"One of the biggest challenges at the moment is the workforce because that's obviously impacting on both distribution centres, freight and also … at the retail outlet," Mr Buffone said.
"These policies and procedures will limit the amount of staff that need to be furloughed. In other words, that will need to stay home.
"So, it's about getting them back into their workplace as quickly as possible, but also as safely as possible."
Last month the Australian Meat Industry Council welcomed the easing of isolation rules for meat processing workers.
Vaccine mandate affects staff
Mr O'Bree said the COVID vaccinate mandate for meat industry workers had also created a challenge.
"[It was] a little bit of a struggle when we got to that vaccination period for butchers. Unfortunately three of the boys chose not to," he said.
Mr O'Bree said while staff resources could end up stretched, local meat supplies would not be.
"There's enough cattle in this region to support Geraldton and the mid-west," he said.
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Sales spike for Geraldton butcher after supermarket meat shortage leaves shelves bare - ABC News
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