Wagga coronavirus: panic buying 'bedlam' at the butchers and lucky dip for fruit and vegetables

South Wagga Butchery owner Liam Hanigan said he had been putting in 14-hour days to keep up about 500 customers per day.

"I've owned this butchery for 14 years and in my time I have never seen anything like it," he said.

"Since 6am on Monday it just has not stopped. It's been bedlam.

"Christmas is usually our busiest time but every day has been like Christmas eve but plus more," he said.

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Mr Hanigan said premium mince was the most sought-after item.

"I guess because you can stretch it a long way in lasagne, tacos and spaghetti and it also freezes well," he said.

"At times we have had lines of 50 to 100 people going out the door.

"We're not going to run out of meat. We are getting deliveries in all the time. It's great to see people supporting their local butcher. We really appreciate it."

Wagga Fruit Supply family co-owner Robert Papasidero said it had been a "lucky dip" on which shipments he could get into the shop.

"We have been in short supply from the markets; we have been getting them but they are going out as soon as they are coming in," he said.

"The numbers of certain items like potatoes have been cut in half or more."

Mr Papasidero said he had recorded an extra 1000 customers above his normal level from Monday to Wednesday.

"They are coming in from West Wyalong, Tumut and Adelong...because of the spike in prices in their towns it pays for them to come to Wagga," he said.

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