Fresh meat and fresh milk orders have increased by as much 60% on standard orders as a result of panic-buying in retail outlets.

Retailers have reported to the Irish Farmers Journal that liquid milk, as well as value meat products such as mince, burgers and chicken fillets, have largely sold out in most corners of the country as the spread of coronavirus continues.

On Thursday morning, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced an effective shutdown of many private and public social events, as well as the closure of schools, colleges and childcare facilities.

Despite An Taoiseach reassuring the public that the integrity of supply chains were being protected, his announcement sparked mass panic shopping across the country.

Record levels

Red meat orders on Thursday night from retailers were running at “record levels” according to one processor.

The retail and consumer demand is coming for cheaper beef products such as burgers and mince, with less of a demand for higher-priced steaks and roasting joints.

Similarly, chicken fillets are in strong demand at retail level.

Liquid milk processors have reported to the Irish Farmers Journal that orders are running “way ahead”, even surpassing the standard Christmas rush.

Panic mode

Liquid milk processors said that retailers went into “panic mode” on Thursday night, placing orders which were between “50% and 60%” ahead of normal levels.

Overall, processors are not fearing shortages in the short term, but have expressed their biggest concern is around staff.

Processors are working to rearrange shifts to keep people isolated as much as possible by splitting shifts and start times, as well as keeping non-essential staff away from production sites as much as possible.

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