A pre-Christmas beer price hike
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A number of field floods on Australia’s east coast have already affected food supplies, but now it has been reported that the barley crop has been severely affected.
Not only are crops submerged, but roads are blocked and harvesting machinery submerged.
As a result, increased costs to breweries are likely to be passed on to consumers, with prices expected to rise sharply.
Milk and vegetable prices are also set to rise, making for an expensive Christmas shopping list.
However, increased supply from the interstate is expected to offset some costs in the coming weeks.
NSW Farmers Association president Xavier Martin recently warned that full recovery was a long way off for flood-hit areas.
“The rains have stopped for now but floodwaters will continue to affect farms and communities for some time,” Martin said.
He said many farmers have individual repair bills of more than $100,000, in addition to losses from damaged crops and lost livestock.
Ongoing concerns about major road closures for post-flood repairs could also significantly affect freight, particularly grain transport.
Incredible aerial images show the extent of the Condobolin flood.