By Jamie Salter
KFC fans might find themselves severely disappointed as the restaurant chain battles with chicken supply shortages.
The rising cases of Covid-19 has limited the number of workers keeping the supply chain running smoothly and suppliers are now facing a poultry shortage.
KFC Australia recently addressed the issue on its website.
“Like many businesses across Australia, our supply chain and workforce has been impacted by Covid-19,” the statement said.
“This isn’t the way we wanted to start the year, please be kind to each other, and our staff as they do their best to provide the chicken we all love.”
KFC assured its customers that restaurants will remain open despite the shortages.
On Tuesday 11 January, the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) executive director Dr Vivien Kite said the chicken supply situation has continued to deteriorate.
“Staff shortages are being seen right across the industry, but are particularly impacting the processing, packing, further processing, distribution and transport sectors of the chicken supply chain,” Dr Kite said.
“These staff shortages have been increasing, as both positive Covid-19 cases in the community, and hence in our workforces, grow and the number of close contacts furloughed as a result follows.
“There are plenty of chickens out on farms, but just not enough people to pick them up, process them and distribute chicken products to stores.”
Dr Kite said Victoria’s exemption allowing close contact critical workers who are negative and asymptomatic to return to work, may help alleviating the current chicken supply situation.
A broad range and type of chicken meat products available in store and through food outlets may change, and some products will be in short supply.
Products that are the most challenging to supply are those that require most preparation or are the most labour intensive to produce.
