Butcher skills shortage pressures are forcing a Noosa business to close its retail shopfront in the coming weeks, as owner Steve Young shifts his attention to wholesale customers.

Key Takeaways

  • Young said the shop had two butchers working where it would normally have four butchers and two counter staff.
  • No employees will lose their jobs, and the business will continue its wholesale operations.
  • Australia has had an official national shortage of butchers since at least 2021.

Butcher skills shortage hits Noosa retailer

Young said the retail shop still had a loyal customer base but could not find enough qualified staff to keep operating. His business began with a storefront in nearby Tewantin in 2005.

He estimated that he had spent $15,000 on job advertisements over the preceding 18 months. Although applications continued to arrive, he said many applicants did not respond to follow-up contact or attend interviews.

Young described closing the retail outlet as a major decision for him and his wife, Stacey. He said no workers would lose their jobs.

Wholesale business continues as others seek workers

Young supplies IGA supermarkets across Queensland and increasingly into New South Wales. A newly signed contract will also put his smallgoods in another 22 stores.

Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan said the shortage made it harder for butcher shops to expand, train apprentices and meet customer demand.

In Maroochydore, butcher shop owner Martin Pennay said his business had begun looking overseas for workers after struggling to recruit locally. He said some visa workers had integrated well into the business.

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