Lamb prices keep rising, selling for 45 yuan per jin, with demand surging

When you see a supermarket offering promotional prices of 45.8 yuan per jin for lamb and 31.8 yuan per jin for beef, how strong is your urge to buy? Once winter arrives, people are used to eating beef and lamb to nourish themselves, but the persistently high prices make residents think twice before buying. On December 10, reporters visited some farmers' markets and supermarkets in Huangdao District and saw that lamb prices were at least 35 yuan per jin, and beef 28 yuan per jin. In interviews, reporters learned that rising breeding costs and a surge in demand are the main reasons for the price increases, and as the Spring Festival sales peak approaches, beef and lamb prices are still trending upward.

A jin of lamb sells for 45 yuan at the supermarket
On the afternoon of the 10th, reporters went to a farmers' market in Chejialing Community, Changjiang Road Subdistrict, Huangdao District, and learned that beef currently sells for 28 yuan per jin and lamb for 35 yuan. "Prices have been this high for the past few days." Butcher Mr. Xue told reporters that winter is the peak sales season for beef and lamb, and every year at this time meat prices rise somewhat, but this year it is more obvious. Mr. Xue believes the current price still has room and momentum to rise, especially around New Year's Day. As for exactly how much it will rise, Mr. Xue said, "It's hard to say; it still depends on the purchase price."

Afterwards, reporters went to a large supermarket on Xiangjiang Road. Supermarket staff told reporters that the supermarket does not sell chilled fresh lamb; in the supermarket's fresh meat freezer, beef was priced at 36 yuan per jin, lamb legs at 31.8 yuan per jin, and lamb chops at 28.5 yuan per jin.
At a supermarket on Changjiang Road, reporters saw that lamb prices were so high they made residents shake their heads. At the fresh meat counter, a large beef and lamb promotion price tag was posted prominently: lamb at 45.8 yuan per jin and beef at 31.8 yuan per jin. "Why is lamb so expensive?" Seeing the price tag, Ms. Zhang, who was about to buy lamb, hesitated a little, and a promoter nearby immediately recommended lamb chops priced nearly 10 yuan lower. Ms. Zhang told reporters, "I knew it wasn't cheap, but I didn't expect it to be over 40 yuan per jin. In winter the family still wants to eat lamb, and stewed lamb chops are pretty good too."

Huangdao District does not stock frozen beef or lamb
Reporters learned from relevant departments in Huangdao District that beef and lamb prices generally follow the market, with seasonal increases every year, and prices rise somewhat around New Year's Day and the Spring Festival; the price department does not regulate their prices. Director Yang of the Finance, Trade and Circulation Division said, "Market demand for beef and lamb is not as great as for pork, and they are not common foods in residents' grocery baskets, so there is greater choice. Therefore, the government has not stockpiled beef or lamb." To prevent sharp fluctuations in pork prices on the market when major disasters or other special circumstances occur, Huangdao District stockpiles frozen pork to avoid this.

Director Yang told reporters, "It is normal for meat prices in supermarkets to be higher than in farmers' markets, because large supermarkets have relatively higher rent and circulation costs, and livestock products sourced through different channels also have different purchase prices due to different feeding costs."

Demand increases and prices rise
Regarding changes in beef and lamb prices, Li Jinsong, the owner of Kuansong Hot Pot Restaurant, has strong feelings. Li Jinsong told reporters that every year he regularly goes to Inner Mongolia to buy sheep in large quantities, which not only ensures the quality of the lamb but also reduces the wholesale price to a certain extent. "Much of the beef and lamb in Huangdao District comes from local sources, and it is normal for lamb prices to exceed 40 yuan per jin. Beef was about 24 yuan per jin at this time last year, and no more than 20 yuan per jin the year before. Although transport costs are lower, feed and especially labor costs are much higher than in Inner Mongolia, so local beef and lamb prices are even more expensive than buying from Inner Mongolia."

Feed, labor and transport costs are all constantly rising, greatly increasing breeding costs, and wholesale prices of beef and lamb naturally rise along with them. Li Jinsong also said, "In addition, unlike the regional consumption of the past, beef and lamb have gradually become national consumption. Hot pot used to be a one-season consumption, but now it is consumed in all four seasons, and especially in winter, demand for lamb increases substantially; consumption-driven demand is also a major factor in price growth. As New Year's Day and the Spring Festival approach, prices are still trending upward, but the increase will not be too large."