- Average prices for beef offal items were generally lower in November, as the rising A$ – currently 43% higher than a year earlier at around 93US¢ – continued to place pressure on the FOB prices (Infoscan).
Hearts, kidneys and tripe pieces were all cheaper than a year earlier, falling 17% to $1.39/kg, 2% to $0.91/kg and 11% to $1.95/kg respectively. However, liver prices held up well – constant at $1.15/kg – with demand from Russia reportedly much stronger than a year earlier, when the market went through an extremely difficult period due to the credit crisis and its various impacts upon trading (MLA’s Monthly Co-products Monitor).
Japanese offal prices weakened again, despite rumours in the market of low stock-piles and the approaching peak demand period of December/January. Skirt prices were 23% cheaper than a year earlier at an average of $3.46/kg and $3.53/kg for thick and thin, while rumen pillars are reportedly now cheap enough (500-700gms down 73% to $3.22/kg) to be discouraging collection at some plants. Swiss-cut tongues improved slightly from October, but still average 35% cheaper than a year ago at $10.02/kg.
Despite showing relative stability for the past two months, a year-on-year comparison is still unkind to products favoured in the Korean market, with average prices for cheekmeat declining 9% year-on-year, while tails and tendons are 32% and 36% lower, respectively.
Strong demand from the Middle East offered some reprieve from the lower prices for beef offal items, and most sheep and goat offals again increased in price. The average price of sheep kidneys rose 50% against a year earlier to $2.50/kg, while livers improved 77% over the year to $2.19/kg. Sheep and goat offal exports have become increasingly popular in the region as an alternative to fresh meat with its limited supply.
Source: MLA.com
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