Revealed: How supply chain crisis is impacting Toowoomba stores

With supermarkets across the Darling Downs facing a supply chain crisis, here’s all you need to know about stock and buying limits.

One of the owners of Betros Bros, Bevan Betros says their stock of fruit is good. Monday, January 10, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

JAN 10:

As businesses continue to tackle the supply chain crisis gripping the region, one owner is calling for calm.

Ferocious weather conditions and Covid-19 labour shortages created a perfect storm for major supply chain issues with meat, fruit, vegetables and toilet paper stock, resulting in empty supermarket shelves across many Toowoomba stores.

But Betros Brothers co-owner Bevan Betros said he had an almost full supply of fruit and vegetables, with only a few specialty items currently unavailable.

“We have plenty of stock all the time, because we’re at the markets everyday and can react quicker than the supermarkets,” Mr Betros said.

“There are shortages in the market due to weather conditions and shortages of staff to pick some items because of Covid and isolation, but we’ve been quite successful in having plenty of stock available all the time.”

One of the owners of Betros Bros, Bevan Betros says their stock of fruit is good. Monday, January 10, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

And with the grocer expecting no change, the owner is urging the public not to panic.

“People just need to come in and buy what they need – there’s no reason to panic buy,” Mr Betros said.

“They don’t need to be panic buying – there’s enough food, and it’s only when people start panic buying that you get into trouble.

“I’m not saying we’re going to have everything, but we’ve got nearly everything … Australian Navel oranges for example – they couldn’t get anyone to pick them, and we don’t have broccolini, but we’ve got broccoli and even though they aren’t in the market today, they might be there tomorrow.”

\Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to media during a press conference in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said national cabinet is considering new guidelines on when workers in critical supply chains can return to work if they are asymptomatic close contacts who test negative.

Mr Morrison said the AHPPC had endorsed a new set of arrangements for workers in critical supply chains, processing, food production and distribution, as well as emergency services.

Under the guidelines, workers will be allowed to come out of isolation if they are fully vaccinated and do not have any Covid-19 symptoms.

It comes after Coles and Woolworths spoke to the AHPPC and explained how they are unable to continue working without having changes put in place to let more workers back into their warehouses and stores.

It presents an opportunity for more people to support independent businesses where they can, and Mr Betros said it had been a busier time than usual for the store.

Customers wanting to isolate can even place an order online or by phoning the store, with same-day delivery available too.

“Support your independents because they’ve got the stock – especially the fruit and veg shops,” he said.

“We’ve had a good pick-up of businesses with a lot of people going to the supermarkets to see the shelves are empty and then they’re coming here.

“Our home deliveries have increased too – I can’t put a number on it but deliveries have increased remarkably.”

One of the owners of Betros Bros, Bevan Betros says their stock of fruit is good. Monday, January 10, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Just days prior, staff at Patton’s the Bargain Butcher confirmed stock and spirits were high, but circumstances soon changed when the store was forced to shut its doors on Monday after selling out of stock.

Posting an update for customers on its Facebook page, the business said “due to supply and demand we currently have a stock shortage, (and) we will be open Sunday until stocks last.”

Set to reopen today, the store will be operating during its usual trading hours and its shelves will be replenished with a full variety of meat.

But it’s not just the butcher shops and grocers feeling the pressure.

Bucket of Kentucy fried chicken

Many Toowoomba customers were left disappointed on the weekend after they were unable to get their hands on KFC’s secret herbs and spices.

All four of the Colonel’s Toowoomba stores ran out of chicken last weekend, leaving customers with the option of the sides-menu only.

However the region’s fried chicken lovers should fear not with the East Toowoomba, Grand Central, Kearneys Spring and Wilsonton stores confirming more stock had been delivered on Monday.

The Chronicle contacted KFC for comment and is awaiting a response.

KFC Toowoomba. Photo Kevin Farmer

JAN, 7:

Grocery stores across the region are facing a supply chain crisis, forcing them to re-implement buying limitations on items such as meat.

But for butchers, business couldn’t be better.

Hundreds of customers have flocked to Patton’s the Bargain Butcher every day this week, with queues in and outside the store.

While the butcher shop has been consistently busy, meat shortages haven’t been a problem.

Patton's co-manager Jason Patton (right) as the butcher at the Hooper Centre has plenty of supply and is swamped by customers, Thursday, January 6, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

And according to Westridge Meats owner Luke Jensen, the same can be said for his West St business.

“Some people go to the supermarkets first (to buy meat), but when they run out, those people come see us, so it’s been even busier than usual for us,” Mr Jensen said.

“We’ve had a couple of new customers who used to buy their products from the supermarkets who have said they’ll be going to a butcher for all their meat now.”

And unlike supermarkets across the country, the butcher said his supply hadn’t been dramatically impacted by rising Covid-19 cases.

“It’s all okay on our end because we get everything locally from Warwick, so it’s all fresh and there’s plenty of stock available,” Mr Jensen said.

“The only thing we’ve probably struggled with is our chicken because it comes from the Gold Coast, but everything else has been perfectly fine, and even then, it’s only been for this week and our chicken stock should be back to normal by Friday.”

Westridge Meats owner Luke Jensen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Meanwhile, IGA Hooper Centre store manager Steven Hanyic said while the independent retailer didn’t tend to carry a large variety of meat products usually, their supply of mince and sausages had not been impacted.

“I can’t talk about next week or next month, but we’ve had no issues with our meat supply so far,” he said.

Meat limits have been implemented to no more than two packs of chicken breasts, thighs, mince and sausages per person at all Coles Supermarkets, including Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba North and Grand Central Shopping Centre, among others.

Woolworths has yet to introduce any limits on meat.

Patton's butcher Kane Tzvetkoff as the Hooper Centre butcher has plenty of supply and is swamped by customers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A Coles spokesman said the organisation had been working with its suppliers and stakeholders to address a number of supply chain issues.

“We apologise to our customers if an item they wish to purchase is unavailable when they do their shopping.

“Our team is working hard to replenish our shelves as quickly as possible.

“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.”

Near Empty shelves at Coles.

Woolworths issued a public statement thanking customers for their patience.

“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,” the statement 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.”