Aldi supermarket freezer filled with frozen chips gives Aussies hope potato shortage is over

A plain photo of a supermarket freezer filled with packets of frozen French fries has given Australians hope that the potato shortage is over.

Heavy rains and major flooding in recent months impacted the country’s potato production, causing the wholesale price of potatoes to rise by 25 percent.

Coles was forced to limit the amount of frozen potato products customers could purchase after wet weather and restrictions on international imports stalled supply.

But as a sign that things are improving, a photo posted to a Facebook group from an Aldi supermarket in Queensland showed a freezer completely stocked with chips.

“Chippies!” the shopper captioned his post. ‘Imported from Belgium, but I’ll take them with me.’

Other potato lovers were delighted to see the highly sought-after snack back in stores.

“Got some this week, haven’t seen them in months,” one wrote.

‘Stop teasing! I bet my classroom will be empty,’ added another.

Due to the increased rain, cold and frost during what should have been the main growing period of last spring and summer, the potato crop this year is very low.

There were shortages along the east coast and in Tasmania and Western Australia.

The shortage also hit the commercial sector, with restaurants forced to try hand-cut chips or close their doors altogether.

One such business was Roy’s Fish & Chips Takeaway Cafe in the tourist town of Batemans Bay, NSW, which had to close its doors twice a week during the New Year holidays this year due to the shortage.

Potato growers said in December that the production costs of the popular root vegetable had doubled, but supermarkets were unwilling to budge on prices.