Local toilet paper manufacturer Sorbent has warned coronavirus panic-buying could lead to a supply shortage as major supermarket Woolworths announced a limit on toilet paper packs.

A spokesperson for Sorbent said a continued influx of shoppers buying up toilet paper could see the company run into a supply shortage. "Some products may have been depleted from shelves [but] replenishment should catch up. However, any sustained panic buying in the volumes seen in recent days will be certain to stress supply. Stock shortage with allocations may in some cases be necessary," the spokesperson said.

The founder of Who Gives a Crap toilet paper, Simon Griffiths, is bemused by the surge in sales. Credit:Jason South

A spokesman for Woolworths told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald it was applying a limit of four packs per person to ensure customers could still access the products they needed. The limit applies in store and online.

"It will help shore up stock levels as suppliers ramp up local production and deliveries in response to higher than usual demand," the spokesman said.