Government report dismisses fears of Australian food shortages due to COVID-19

Australia's top agricultural research body has debunked claims that the country is going to run out of food because of COVID-19.

In a report released on Friday, Australia's Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES), found that fears of shortages of food staples were misplaced.

It said that shortages of rice, pasta and flour in supermarkets were a result of panic buying rather than any disruptions to the supply chain or fundamental shortages.

"We remain a net exporter of food. We export 70 percent of our agricultural production. In terms of specific commodities -- that's 76 percent of our beef and veal, 71 percent of our wheat and 41 percent of our dairy products being exported," David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, said in a media release on Friday.

"We've implemented strategies that include maintaining agriculture's service and supply lines, extending work visas, and providing air freight support," he added.

According to the report, imported food accounts for around 10 percent of Australian consumers' food spending.

"Potential disruptions to these imports would be unlikely to have any impact on Australian food security -- in terms of ensuring a sufficient supply of healthy and nutritious food -- although higher prices or limited availability of specific products may disappoint or inconvenience some consumers," it said.

The government has said that Australia produces enough food to feed 75 million people -- about three times of the population.

(CGTN)