It’s the iconic Aussie buy that’s been missing from shelves at Woolworths, Coles and ALDI for weeks, sparking confusion among shoppers.
Scores of frustrated customers have taken to social media over the past month to query why tinned beetroot is no longer available in Australia’s major supermarkets.
Describing it as the “great beetroot shortage” and a “national emergency”, several Facebook posts have attracted hundreds of comments from consumers desperate to know when the popular buy – often used in hamburgers and salads – will be returning to stores.
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“I cannot buy beetroot anywhere, not Coles, not Woolies and not even ALDI,” said one. “Beetroot is simply no longer available and nobody know if it will return for a long time.”
Another said: “The great beetroot shortage! Coles, Woolies and ALDI have no tinned beetroot! Woe indeed, fix it somebody and explain why!”
A third wrote: “There’s no beetroot in the supermarkets? This is a national emergency.”
Added one more: “Where has all the beetroot gone? It has been weeks now and no beetroot on the shelves in my local store. I asked two staff in the [Woolworths] store and they had no idea why.”
Representatives from Coles and Woolworths have told 7NEWS.com.au that recent weather events have lead to the surprise shortage across the whole industry.
“Due to adverse growing conditions, customers may notice varying supply levels of canned beetroot available across our store network,” a Woolworths spokesperson said.
“We’re in close contact with our suppliers and we’re working on contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our customers.
“We encourage customers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.”
A Coles spokesperson has told 7NEWS.com.au: “Due to recent weather events, the availability of canned beetroot has been impacted across the industry.
“We know how much our customers enjoy this product and we expect to see more stock on shelves over the coming months.
“The good news is that our supply of fresh beetroot has not been affected, with plenty available across our stores and online.”
7NEWS.com.au understands that tinned beetroot products have already started returning to ALDI stores nationally after a period of reduced availability.