Storm near Ballarat, Victoria, puts half of the state’s potato supply at risk, including McDonalds
Aussies could soon be hit with ANOTHER food shortage as McDonald’s and KFC prepare to be hit with a crushing shortage of hot chips
- A storm has seen Victoria’s potato industry take an estimated $25 million hit
- The storm hit the state’s biggest potato region that supplies KFC and McDonalds
- One local farm said he faces $740,000 lost in damages to the massive storm
- McCains, a customer of the region, said they will work with farmers to recover
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Fast food lovers are on high alert after a recent storm put an Australian state’s supply of hot chips at risk.
Farmers have warned customers of a potential potato shortage in Victoria after a storm hit a major growing region near Ballarat, west of Melbourne.
The storm is estimated by Victorian Farmers Federation horticulture vice president Katherine Myers to have destroyed $25 million worth of produce.
Farmers have warned customers of a potential potato shortage in Victoria after a storm hit a major growing region near Ballarat, west of Melbourne
The region is responsible for around half of Victoria’s potatoes and a large amount of that supply goes to KFC, McDonalds, Smiths chips, and fish and chips shops.
Local potato farmer Rodney Guthrie’s farm lost an estimated $740,000 in the ‘total devestation’ left by the storms.
‘We got 90 acres of potatoes wiped out,’ he told News.com.
The region is responsible for around half of Victoria’s potatoes and a large amount of that supply goes to KFC, McDonalds, Smiths chips, and fish and chips shops
‘I don’t know if they’re going to come back or not – the stems are completely stripped.’
McCains, the region’s largest potato processor, said they would work with farmers to recover crops and do their best to avoid a shortage.
‘We remain committed to supplying our much-loved product to our customers and to all Australians,’ a spokeswoman said.
The news comes just days after KFC outlets began posting signs in store warning customers of chicken shortages.
The news comes just days after KFC outlets began posting signs in store warning customers of chicken shortages due to covid cases
‘Due to supplier issues, we have no original chicken, zingers, fillets or wings. Please refer to sold-out stickers for available items,’ the signs reportedly read.
In a statement to 7 News the company confirmed it was offering a ‘reduced menu.’
‘Unfortunately our supply chain has been disrupted, and some of our restaurants will be offering a reduced menu,’ it said.
The shortage is believed to have stemmed from a lack of food processing workers available due to covid cases.
National Cabinet has since changed rules for food process workers, including truck drivers, and removed the requirement for a test every seven days.
