CLAIMS THAT some supermarkets imported shipments of Polish beef to fill the supply gap caused by panic buying – rather than sourcing extra from the domestic meat chain – have caused uproar on social media.

British farmers and members of the public have taken to the internet to voice their outrage and accuse supermarkets of not doing more to support local suppliers.

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick confirmed that the union was aware of these allegations: “The full detail of these claims have so far not been confirmed," he stressed. "But we are in direct contact with the retailers in question to establish the facts around these reports.

“In recent weeks retailers have reported a substantial increase in sales of mince and other beef products as a result of panic buying and stocking up due to social distancing,” he continued.

It has also been reported that some processors and wholesalers have chosen to reduce their product lines and focus on more essential products to meet the increased demand.

However, the surge in demand for mince and low value cuts has thrown off market balance. Normally, high value cuts would bolster the carcass price received by producers, but these cuts aren’t finding a market at the current time, which has led to falling beef prices in the UK.

The SF was told that demand for low value cuts such as mince may have prompted some supermarkets to source cheaper carcasses from abroad.

Mr McCornick continued: “These are extremely trying times and supermarkets do have a job to make sure shelves are fully stocked for the public as we work through this situation together.Clearly the overnight shift in buying patterns will have resulted in difficult decisions and we believe that in the main retailers have maintained their support for domestic production. The union will be writing to retailers to convey the need for Scottish and UK farmers to be supported as we do our part to produce high quality food and drink.

“Purchasing volumes are now set to return to a manageable level and Scotland’s farmers and crofters should be well placed to produce the food needed to feed the nation,” he concluded.

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