Butchers and stockbreeders declare with the same fervor that they are “direct collaborators”, but as it appeared in their joint interview today in Thessaloniki, this year’s price of the spear in anticipation of the Easter holidays, it is not excluded to cause … a disturbance in their relationship. Their common position, however, is that the appreciation of a number of goods and services this year makes it more difficult than ever to solve the equation and keep everyone satisfied.
On the one hand, the butchers point out that the market research in their consumer audience showed that no one intends to buy at the price of more than 13-14 euros / kg the main dish of the Easter table (lamb-goat), which means that it will they have to buy from the farmers at most up to 7.5 euros / kg, while the farmers declare their determination “not to sell this year at a price below their production cost, ie 9 euros / kg”.
Both, however, assured that they will do their best to keep prices at levels that the consumer can afford, while ensuring the survival of their businesses. In any case, the price for this year’s spear is expected to “lock” next Saturday of Lazarus, or at the latest on Palm Sunday.
“The consumer can no longer afford it, everything is growing. “If the breeder” dies “, the butcher also” dies “and for this reason we all put our backs to keep the costs.”he pointed out the president of the Panhellenic Federation of Butchers (POKK)Savvas Kesidis, member of the board of the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki (EETH).
Recalling the proposal submitted to the relevant ministries to set a maximum price throughout the market chain in anticipation of the Easter holidays so that there is no speculation, he noted that “the price that the consumer will pay will be formed in the coming days. If the market is filled with Romanian lambs the supply will increase and all the data will change. “Everything will be judged there.”
Stressing, however, that the butchers “will move conservatively this year”, Mr. Kesidis said that in view of Easter last year, on such a day, the orders for lambs were doubled. He noted that the turnover in butchers is currently reduced by 30-40% in all meats, compared to 2021.
“The price of lambs in butchers reaches higher levels, as we talk about different quality, we sell quality meat, we do not seek scandalous profit. Our goal is not to exceed 13-14 euros / kg this year “stressed the president of the Butcher Association of Thessaloniki, Nikolaos Balabanidis, recalling that last year it ranged from 11.5-13.5 euros / kg.
“People have reached the point where they are afraid to go shopping. If the demand for Greek lambs decreases, the slaughter decreases at the same time. The final equation is very difficult. We must all add water to our wine “he said characteristically.
“Prices for animal feed (wheat, corn) have doubled, soybeans have tripled. The energy was launched, the livestock units are in difficulty, while many were closed in areas such as Kastoria, Thessaly and Ioannina. We had warned since October that prices were falling. The war in Ukraine just hastened what we saw coming. The government did not listen to us and did not take action and the 47 million euros that they announced in advance that they will give to the breeders, means that everyone will be subsidized for one day of feeding their animal “stressed for his part the vice president of the Hellenic Livestock Association (SEK), Dimitris Moschos, president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Cereals and Livestock Products of Kastoria.
“Today we have to sell the lamb at the cost of production, without including other costs (energy, labor, etc.), if we do not incorporate the price increases. The real price in the butcher shop could reach 18 euros, if we put in 9 euros the VAT and the profit of the butcher, we will see where the market will sit … Efforts will be made to keep the costs from the side us”mentioned and added that the Greek milk lamb is sold in Spain for 22 euros / kg and in Italy in Milan, for 18 euros / kg, due to quality.
“If lambs come from Romania at a low cost and are Greekized without any control, we will suffer the consequences. If the government does not support livestock, most of the units will close. It does not bear the cost of production, the breeders support the countryside, all the forests that are grazed do not burn “he added.
“It is zero time for Greek farmers and if immediate measures are not taken to support the industry, we will not exist on such a day next year,” said the president of Lagada sheep and goats, Dimitrios Strazemis. “We can not determine where the price will reach the consumer, but if we sell below cost, we are ruined,” he said, adding that those who slaughter today do so at open prices.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
