Lucas Brothers Butchers was among six businesses in the running for the prestigious Australian Meat Industry Council's title.

While the butcher didn't win the accolade, co-owner Peter Harris said he was proud a regional business stood out.

"I would say the biggest thing would be having the drive-through out the front, it's something no one else has," he said.

Mr Harris said another perk of being a regional butcher was its proximity to Warrnambool supplier Midfield Meats and the city's saleyards.

"We can pick the animal by hand if we want, we can see them in the paddock," he said.

"It is the convenience of having an institution like Midfield around the corner, it has its benefits if we are ever short or anything like that. You compare that to Bourke Street, Melbourne, it's a lot harder to get meat to them."

The shop, which gained its name in the 1930s before Mr Harris and wife Tracey took over in 2013, moved to its Banyan Street location last year.

He said the meat industry had experienced a "tough year", as export demands drove up domestic prices.

The store has seen pork prices jump 20 per cent since September due to an overseas outbreak of African swine fever, while strong demand for lamb has increased prices 30 per cent this year.

Mr Harris said he sourced beef and lamb from Midfield, and pork from Ballarat, while its poultry came from Melbourne.

"Seventy per cent of pork consumed in Australia comes from overseas, so to have Australian pork goes a long way in a butcher shop," he said.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.