Yahoo Finance First toilet paper, now this: Woolworths places limit on ‘luxury’ good
Woolworths has been forced to place a purchase limit on rock lobsters after the shellfish began to sell at record rates.
Earlier this week the supermarket company announced it would sell West Australian Rock Lobsters at just $20 each - half their 2019 price - as export restrictions saw lobster exporters struggle.
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“Lobsters have traditionally been considered a luxury item on the Christmas table, so we’re pleased to be making them accessible to more families this year, while also supporting the local industry,” Woolworths head of meat and seafood Tim Dudding said.
“Our support in purchasing more rock lobsters this year will give WA producers an avenue to move more volume into the domestic market which would have traditionally been exported. It’s a win-win partnership, and we look forward to working with the industry to offer Australian households the chance to add premium seafood to their Christmas table this year at a more affordable price.”
However, Woolworths has since been forced to impose a limit of four lobsters per customer per transaction as they sold rapidly.
Signs erected in stores explain the lobsters will be limited due to the unprecedented demand.
“Since introducing our WA Rock Lobsters across Australia last week, we‘ve seen incredible customer demand,” a spokesperson said.
“To ensure as many customers as possible can enjoy Rock Lobster in the lead up to Christmas, we've placed a limit of four lobsters per customer, per transaction.
“We have good stock levels to draw on and our teams are working hard to continue replenishing lobsters as quickly as possible. Customers can expect to see increased lobster availability in the days ahead.”
Escalating China tensions behind budget lobsters
Both Coles and Woolworths have purchased huge volumes of lobsters this year, with Coles also cutting prices for the shellfish.
Woolworths bought 29 times as much of the seafood than it had in previous years in a bid to help out struggling fishers.
It comes after escalating tensions between Australia and China have seen lobsters become the subject of another unofficial ban, joined by coal, barley, wine and beef.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud in November revealed Australian lobsters had to pass extra checks before clearing customs in China, and that live lobsters - which can die after 48 hours - risked being left to rot at airports.
“They are saying they want to understand if there are trace elements of minerals and metals in it and we will quite clearly demonstrate, because we test before they go, that is not the case,” Littleproud told ABC News Breakfast.
“So we are asking why the action is being taken against Australian rock lobster.”
Matthew Rutter, CEO of Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative based in WA said it had been a “tough year” for Australian seafood exporters.
The latest restrictions have further challenged many businesses, but Woolworths’ decision to range more WA Rock Lobsters in supermarkets across Australia makes a big difference for fisher owned co-ops like ours,” Rutter said.
“Most of our members live and work in regional coastal communities where the economic activity from the fishing industry is vital to the social and economic fabric.”
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