Supermarkets across Australia are experiencing a shortage of popular potato chip products caused by storms and flooding in south-eastern states as well as supply chain problems.
The recent flooding is the latest blow for many potato farmers this year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered major price hikes in fertiliser, fuel and a spike in transport costs.
Food manufacturer PepsiCo Australia, which makes popular chip brands such as Smith's and Red Rock Deli, warned stock levels could be impacted for several months.
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"High levels of rainfall have impacted some potato crops, and while we are managing potato supply, we have been working closely with our retail partners to ensure our brands continue to be widely available," a spokesperson for PepsiCo said.
"Consumers can still have confidence that their favourite chips will be available at their local retailers in the coming months."
The company's other brands, such as Doritos, Twisties and Sunbites, had not been affected by the shortage, the spokesperson said.
The potato chip shortage is affecting major supermarkets, including Aldi and Woolworths, with availability varying across Australia.
Aldi confirmed "volatile weather conditions" had impacted supply chains and that it was working with suppliers to manage stock levels.
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"We are closely monitoring the potential impact of the current flood emergency in Victoria and as always, we remain in open conversations with our primary producer partners to support them wherever possible," an Aldi spokesperson said.
Woolworths said it was working with its supply partners to improve potato chips supplies, while also ensuring customers have alternative snack food options.
The heavy rain through autumn, winter and spring is causing major problems for Australia's vegetable and potato growers impacting planted crops and planting schedules for future harvests, industry representatives said.
The deluge across Victoria, Tasmania and parts of New South Wales has made valuable potato growing regions too wet to harvest, a spokesperson for AusVeg said.
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"The affected regions are highly productive growing regions, with the damage not just limited to production loses on-farm, but also infrastructure, fencing, machinery, loss of top soil and time and investment in preparing paddocks for future crops," they said.
The heavy rain has also damaged roads and other infrastructure making it hard to get produce to market.
"The floods are having flow-on effects throughout the broader supply chain, such as road closures and disruptions to a wide range of businesses, as well as power outages, which can affect cold store facilities, picking and packing," the AusVeg spokesperson said.
They said the supply chain disruptions are expected to last over the coming months.
