Bulk meat purchases: Extreme way Aussie shoppers are saving on beef and meat during the cost of living crisis

Forget the meat aisle at the supermarket. Smart shoppers go straight to the source and buy half a cowin what can be described as one of the more extreme examples of using bulk purchasing to save.

Today Money expert Joel Gibson went hunting for extreme ways to beat inflation this week and found that this was the case From farm to fork strategy can save Australian shoppers as much as $805.

“Someone recently contacted me about the value you get when you… buy half a cow,” Gibson further shared Today.

”If you really value your beef – beef prices have risen 12 percent in the past year – you can buy a whole half a cow.

“You get it broken down into all the different cuts.”

Buying meat in bulk doesn’t normally come in the form of half an animal, but when you break it down it makes sense.

This does not arrive on your doorstep as half a cow, but as carefully butchered beef from the carcass.

READ MORE: Shoppers shocked by high prices of small fruit

READ MORE: Fans defend Australian chain after US failure

READ MORE: A surprising reason bananas may not taste “good” right now

Half a cow results in four eye fillet steaks, 12 rump steaks, eight New York sirloins, 12 T-bone steaks, eight scotch fillets, 16 blade steaks, 12 round steaks, 16 minute steaks, 12 Y-bone steaks, eight pieces of osso bucco, eight pieces of gravy beef, 16 pieces of chuck steak, three kilos of silverside roast, three kilos of brisket, four kilo of short ribs, 500 grams of stir-fry strips, one kilo of lean ground beef, 200 beef sausages, 32 beef burger patties, three kilos of beef bones and one kilo of beef fat.

All of this would normally cost about $2,502 at an average grocery store, but closer to $1,697 in bulk at Farm meat in NSWwhich is an estimated savings of $805.

Wholesale meat sales increased by 133 percent

Jeff Renfrew, founder of Farmstead Meat, explained nine.com.au their “half cow” product has become “one of our most popular options as Australian households look for smarter ways to buy quality food and stay ahead of rising grocery costs”.

“What we see is that customers often start smaller, maybe with a quarter cow, and then move up to larger purchases once they see the value and convenience.

“We are also seeing customers working with friends, family and other households to split larger purchases to maximize savings, without needing the freezer space for a full bulk purchase.

“Aussies are becoming much more conscious of pushing their dollar, and buying quality meat in bulk is one way people are doing that without compromising on what’s on the table.”

Farmstead Meats reports that their orders have increased by 133 percent due to high meat costs, with savvy consumers turning to beef wholesalers like these to make ends meet.

The meat wholesaler is also selling a quarter cow, an eighth cow and a half lamb, with similar savings for shoppers.

For customers who don’t have as much storage space, they have selected smaller beef packs, such as the 25kg “eighth”, which Renfrew said will “fit comfortably in your fridge and freezer”.

Bulk purchases are more cost-effective in the long run

Renfrew said that while the cost is higher than what customers would normally spend on meat in a week, two weeks or even a month, there is value in it in the long run, with the cost per meal being lower.

“Australian households are getting smarter at finding ways to outsmart the supermarket system: planning ahead, buying quality food more strategically, storing it better and getting more value from every dollar spent,” he added.

Farmstead Meats supplies most of VIC, NSW, Qld and the ACT. Outback beef in WA offers a similar product range, including half a cow, and delivers to Perth and The Pilbara.

For SA residents you can purchase your bulk beef from Carnevoor. And Eva Valley Meats serves the NT.

How to store bulk purchases of meat

Renfrew explained exactly how long meat can be frozen. A ‘general rule of thumb’ for chicken is that it is ‘best used within about three months in the freezer’, while beef and lamb ‘will last comfortably for six to twelve months if stored properly (in the freezer)’.

To get the most out of purchasing bulk meat, Renfrew said, “Shelf life is only one part of the equation, how you store meat is just as important.”

“If not packaged, frozen or handled properly, quality can deteriorate quickly, regardless of the date on the label.

“A few simple habits can go a long way in maintaining quality, reducing waste and getting more value from what you buy.”

1. Label it appropriately

One of the biggest mistakes people make is freezing meat too late or forgetting when it went in.

If meat only has one day left in the freezer, it only has one day left when it comes out. Clearly label products with what it is and the date it was frozen.

2. Packaging is important

Good packaging makes a big difference. Meat that is cryovac sealed or vacuum packed helps protect quality, preserve flavor and minimize freezer burn by removing excess air from around the product.

For exactly that reason, at Farmstead we seal everything fresh before it leaves us. Freeze bulk items strategically.

3. Leave some airflow

If you are storing larger quantities of meat, freeze it in stages, rather than packing everything tightly together. Leave some airflow so that products freeze evenly, especially when purchasing in bulk

4. Defrost slowly

When it’s time to cook, always thaw the meat slowly in the refrigerator and not on the kitchen bench.

It is more sanitary because thawing meat on the kitchen bench can cause the outer layers to heat up faster than the center, potentially creating an environment for bacteria to grow.