Empty meat shelves have been seen in supermarkets across Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing staff shortages and putting strain on supply chains.

But despite empty shelves in supermarkets, local Collins Court Butcher Owner Mick Lamond said business had been good at his store and his staff had been very busy.

Mr Lamond said he had experienced some panic buying in store, particularly in recent weeks due to the supermarket meat shortages.

“Normally we’re still busy through January, but people are buying a lot more than what they normally would,” he said.

“I suppose because the supermarkets ran out of meat and we still had meat, so we have seen a lot of new faces through the door.”

Mr Lamond said he had still been able to acquire stock but prices were beginning to increase and two main wholesalers in Adelaide were closing their doors for at least a week due to insufficient stock.

He said Adelaide wholesalers had reduced the quantities they could purchase due to the shortage.

“I cannot see it changing for a fair while, it’s going to take a long time to get back to how it was,” he said.

Although meat had been in short supply in supermarkets, Mr Lamond said he could not see the Collins Court Butcher running short and encouraged people to support their local butcher.