Duck processor Luv-a-Duck has been forced to cut more than 60 jobs because of the impact of coronavirus.
Six full-time positions have been made redundant, 15 casual positions have been terminated, 40 additional casuals have been stood down indefinitely and other casuals have had their hours cut.
Thirty of those stood down worked at the company's Nhill processing plant in north-west Victoria, where processing has been cut from five days to three days a week.
Luv-a-Duck chief executive, James Thompson, said the business relied heavily on the restaurant trade and was hit hard by government closures of indoor venues.
"It was like someone switched a light switch and we lost more than 70 per cent of our food service market overnight," he said.
Mr Thompson said the business was prepared for a long road to recovery.
"We've just had to batten down the hatches, drop the periscope and descend to the depths to ensure we can get out to the other side," he said.
"It's beholden on us to ensure that the business remains viable and gets through this storm.
"We could be looking at a good 18 months to two years away."
Despite the financial impact of COVID-19 on the business, Mr Thompson said he had no doubt it would endure.
"The business was founded on strength and grit and it will successfully come out the other side bigger, better and stronger," he said.
Local council could fill the void
Nhill is the biggest town within the Hindmarsh Shire, and the council could be able to provide a lifeline to some of those who have lost their jobs.
The council will employ 13 full-time staff for the next six months, as part of the Victorian Government's Working For Victoria initiative.
Council's chief executive, Greg Wood, said the aim was for staff to return to their previous jobs after the six months.
"There may be an opportunity for people to look at a more permanent role as they come up," he said.
"But we are anticipating most of these people will go back to their previous employment once that starts to ramp-up again."
