After extended periods of bushfires and drought, coronavirus was looking like yet another blow to Australia's farmers.

But producers who sell directly to the public are seeing an unprecedented spike in demand as customers increasingly look for ways to avoid busy supermarket aisles amid tight social distancing restrictions.

For beef producers Rod and Debbie Richardson, COVID-19 meant they lost sales to restaurants and could no longer run their on-farm tourism venture — but they are staying afloat thanks to a huge spike in retail customers.

"We've seen an 85 to 100 per cent increase in orders this month alone," Mrs Richardson said.

"Our beef is our lifeline at the moment.

"Had we not had those additional orders, we would not have covered our costs and about 200 kilos of beef would have had to be put in the freezer."

The couple have operated Running Creek Beef, a small operation near the Queensland/New South Wales border, for several years.

Mrs Richardson said demand for deliveries and farm gate pick up had never been higher.

"I do feel there is some additional quantity buying going on, people have bought a bit more and we've had a lot of new customers too," she said.

"There's also those questions to us … 'Are you are you're able to keep delivering?' People are looking for that reassurance.

"I think the virus has boosted the 'support the bush, buy local' sentiment already growing in Australia following recent bushfires and drought."

Mrs Richardson said they were partnering with other producers on southern Queensland's Scenic Rim to combine deliveries of honey, milk and other locally grown items with their beef orders.

"We figure we've got a truck and we're making the trip, so why not try to help people?"

Happy to avoid supermarkets

Ann Hunziker from Rathdowney, a rural town just north of the Queensland border, regularly orders meat from nearby producers Running Creek Beef, but increased her ordering amid rising concerns about coronavirus and crowded supermarkets.

"We've only gone to the shops once since [the pandemic reached Australia]," Mrs Hunziker said.

Ann Hunziker has increased her orders from Running Creek Beef. ( Supplied )

"I have COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] so I'm suspectable to getting pneumonia and chest inflections.

"I believe if I was to get coronavirus it wouldn't be a nice ending, so I fear for it."

Ms Hunziker said she was also worried about the health of her elderly mother, who also lives on their property.

"I want to avoid her getting the virus," she said.

Business models shifting

Further north in sugar cane country, producers and growers are also having to adapt.

Bundaberg farmer and produce store owner Anthony Rehbein has changed his business model since coronavirus guidelines were implemented in Australia.

To minimise social contact, he is offering a delivery service to take fresh produce straight to customers' doorsteps.

Sales of fresh produce boxes have been on the rise at The Lettuce Patch. ( Supplied: Andrew Dowling )

"Most people came through the front door and bought their fresh fruit and vegetables and now we're doing a box service," Mr Rehbein said.

"We've been doing approximately anywhere between 40 to 50 boxes in a day."

A few minutes up the road, lettuce grower Andrew Dowling's produce store The Lettuce Patch has transitioned into a drive-through service to meet increasing demand while adhering to social distancing practices.

"There is a lot of anxiety within the community and they're not sure how long this [pandemic] is going to go on for," he said.

With the closure of restaurants and cafes, Mr Dowling said the service was proving vital for him as well as those who supply additional produce to his shop.

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"The increase in [pick-up produce] boxes would be about 400-500 per cent in the last couple of weeks," he said.

"Our wholesale has stopped, but we are making up for it in retail."

Both Mr Rehbein and Mr Dowling told the ABC they have had to employ extra staff, just to keep up.

NFF welcomes rescue package

Tony Mahar says farmers are getting on with the job of food production. ( Supplied: National Farmers' Federation )

National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar said having agriculture and food supply recognised by most jurisdictions as essential services was good news for many Australian farmers.

"This has meant the operations of the supply chain have been prioritised and granted exemptions to continue to operate, subject to measures to assist to ensure the safety of farmers, workers and the greater community," he said.

"For farmers it is, to a large extent, business as usual. They are getting on with the job of producing food for Australians and many across the world."

Mr Mahar said the foundation was in ongoing consultation with the Federal Government as the crisis deepened.

"The NFF has been working hard on supporting farmers to manage their workforce — to maintain workers to get the job done and importantly, to protect their safety," he said.

"This week we welcomed the assistance to enable agricultural exports to Asia to resume some sort of normality with the Government's $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism."

The Federal Government's support package aims to help the agricultural sector recoup losses caused coronavirus by exporting its produce into key overseas markets, with return flights bringing back medical supplies, medicines and equipment.

"We will continue to identify key risks and challenges and ensure government has a whole-of-industry perspective as we work together to reduce the risks from COVID-19," Mr Mahar said.