SA officials deny there is a statewide potato shortage

A fish and chip shop in Port Noarlunga says it is temporarily closing because of a potato shortage, saying it is having to drive to Victoria to find some.

The organisation representing the state’s vegetable growers says there is no potato supply problem, despite one fish and chippery saying it’s been forced to temporarily close.

Port Noarlunga Fish & Chips on Saturday posted on Facebook that it was closing until Tuesday because of “ongoing issues with potatoes”.

“We are not happy with the quality that is being given out and rather than ruining our reputation, we want to keep our customers happy by giving them good food,” the business said.

A similar statement featured on the business’s voicemail yesterday.

Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips, which says it is temporarily closing because of a potato shortage. Picture: Antimo Iannella

The company also posted that a staff member was driving to Ballarat and Bordertown to source more potatoes.

Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips shop has closed due to poor quality potatoes . Picture: Facebook

Jordan Brooke-Barnett, chief executive of AusVeg SA, which represents South Australia’s vegetable growers, said the state was “not running out of potatoes”, nor was he aware of any quality problems.

“I don’t think there’s a broader supply issue,” he said.

“And I wouldn’t imagine that the quality would be down in our region for any particular reason.”

Mr Brooke-Barnett said similarly to other industries, some agriculture businesses were suffering pandemic-related labour shortages, but he was not aware of any gaps in supply.

“From what I’m hearing, all the potato packing houses are meeting their consignments,” he said.

“I don’t think labour force shortages are preventing produce from getting out the doors.”