Consumers’ exploratory contacts with butchers have begun, regarding the availability and price of the Easter arrow, as orders will start in a week and several are already conducting market research.
As long as butchers recommend patience and appear reluctant to give a price, the consumer will be confused. On the one hand, he hears the Ministry of Development talking about a price around €10 and on the other hand, he hears the breeder talking about shortages of lambs, which will lead the price to €13 – 14. Cool market players, however, state to “E” that there will be lambs for all stallions. Lambs imported from Balkan countries and slaughtered in the prefecture will be available cheaper than Greek lambs.
The lambs sold in the supermarkets will have a similar fate, in relation to the butchers in the neighborhood, as they have closed the relevant agreements a long time ago, while they consider the cheap arrow “promotional energy for the rest of the Easter products”.
Thessalian breeders remind that they cannot sell the lamb for less than €8, as they will not cover the increased production costs. They talk about unfair competition and call for intensified controls. Most farmers did not want to take any chances and since they received good offers for the Catholic Easter, they made sure to sell as many lambs as they could. It is not in their interest to fatten lambs at 10 and 15 kg, as the cost is high, they lose the milk that the young animal needs to grow and the final price they enjoy is low. For their part, the traders are currently in no hurry to close deals and are testing the endurance of the Greek breeder, who is afraid that his lambs will remain unsold.
As for the prices, we will traditionally have a first indication on Saturday of Lazarus, when the slaughters peak. The final price of the arrow must include the profit of the professionals who mediate from the corral to the …shelf. In other words, approximately one euro for slaughter and transport costs, plus 50 minutes for at least two middlemen needed to transport the lamb to the butcher and at least €1-1.50 for the butcher’s profit. That is why many villagers buy the lamb directly from the breeder, after the latter undertakes the slaughter, saving both of them the costs of middlemen!
By Giorgos Rustas
Source: eleftheria.gr
