SUPERMARKET SHORTAGES STRIKE

SUPERMARKET giant Woolworths has apologised to disgruntled Victorian shoppers over a drop in fresh produce stock levels, linked to the impact of COVID-19 infections on its distribution network.

An outbreak of 17 coronavirus cases has shut down two distribution centres in Melbourne’s southeast indefinitely, with hundreds of workers directed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to self-isolate until at least the end of this month.

The suspension of operations at the Melbourne Produce Distribution Centre and Melbourne National Distribution Centre have resulted in delays of stock deliveries to stores, a Woolworths spokesman said, as the organisation transitioned fruit and vegetable orders to alternative distribution centres.

“We’re currently using temporary measures to deliver produce from alternative distribution centres to ensure we can maintain fruit and vegetable supply in our Victorian supermarkets,” the spokesman said.

Fruit and vegetable stock levels are expected to start improving across the Victorian network in the coming days.

“We know it’s frustrating when customers can’t get all the products they need in a shop and we apologise for the inconvenience,” he said.

“We’ll continue working

Melbourne were stripped bare by panicked shoppers at the beginning of this month when the capital’s lockdown was first announced.

Shoppers have moved on to a different form of panic-buying

Picture: NCA NEWSWIRE / ANDREW HENSHAW Shoppers outside a Woolworths store in Prahran. Woolworths shortages in Victoria have been linked to the impact COVID-19 cases have had on its distribution centres.