Abattoir positive despite shortage

“We are over the hill now and we are not getting as many cases now as before. We will get back to where we were soon enough” – Robert Frew

AWimmera meat processor has emphasised his optimism for 2022 as a worker shortage continues to cause production losses.

Frew Foods International managing director Robert Frew has reduced the Stawell abattoir capacity since late last year, from 6000 to 3500 sheep a day because of the worker shortage.

Mr Frew said production reduced to 5000 sheep before Christmas, but further reduction in workers had slashed the facility’s peak production in half.

“We have dropped it right down to about 3500 a day, it is all we can manage now,” he said.

“We are still working, trying to look after our workers who might have COVID-19, but we know that it is not just this facility or this industry dealing with this problem. “We are probably still better off than most.” Unlike many agricultural industries in the Wimmera affected by supply-chain problems, Mr Frew said his abattoir had a steady supply of sheep and slow-production issues were only caused by a lack of staff.

“It is purely a worker shortage at this stage,” he said.

A shortage of rapid antigen testing had been a small problem in the past months, but Mr Frew said for the moment the company had adequate stock.

“We were lucky to get our hands on some early, so we have enough of those for a little while,” he said.

“We did have to ‘beg borrow and steal’ for a time there, but we have enough for now.”

With a shortage of workers affecting industries across Australia, Mr Frew said the country would need close to a million more workers to fill gaps in employment caused by the COVID-19 situation.

“It is not just an issue for us, but for everyone in the agricultural business,” he said.

“Everyone I have spoken to is suffering from the same problems – there just are not enough workers.

“Abattoirs in the cities are in the same position as us here in the regions.

“While they might be fairing a little better, those abattoirs have had to navigate their way through significant more COVID-19 infections. In the end it is the same result.”

Despite the drop in production, Mr Frew said 2022 was going to be a better year.

“We are over the hill now and we are not getting as many cases now as before. We will get back to where we were soon enough,” he said.

“We will continue to look for the 100 extra workers we want, which we think we will get.

“I am sure if we chat in three months’ time, we should have real positive news then.”

Meanwhile, Mr Frew said progress was all about getting through this period.

“We are always positive; we know everyone is going through the same thing,” he said.

“Everyone must support everybody else just as the people working here who are healthy and fit have supported us.”