Police say well-organised gangs of shoplifters are travelling across Tasmania to satisfy a lucrative black market that supplies a highly sought after product - meat.

Five shoplifters, who have allegedly stolen more than $1,000 worth of meat each, have been arrested over the past fortnight.

Police say the high cost of living has triggered the unexpected crime wave and say thousands of dollars worth of meat is being stolen from Tasmanian supermarkets each week.

Detective Inspector David Plumpton says often it is not a crime of desperation but gangs supplying a booming black market.

"It doesn't sound particularly sexy or fancy, but meat is a tradeable item because of the cost," he said.

"If you and your family did not have to purchase meat this year, you'd save yourself thousands of dollars. If you and your family not only didn't have to purchase meat this year but were able to sell meat this year, you'd make yourselves a significant amount of money."

The Retail Traders Association's Andrew Winch says shoplifting is crippling Tasmanian businesses.

"It's quite a significant issue across the state - it would be in the hundreds of thousands, if not the millions."

Tasmania's peak body for social services says families are desperately trying to deal with increasing cost of living pressures.

Tony Reidy from TasCOSS says while he has not seen the crime figures, there is compelling evidence families are under enormous financial pressure.

"There are numerous accounts coming through to TasCOSS from our members that individuals and families are making decisions: 'Do I pay this bill or do I put food on the table'?"

"The organisations that are members of TasCOSS who work in this area, they're reporting enormous increased demand; a demand they can't meet," he said.