The truth about surprisingly cheap dried beef and dried squid

The selling price of 1 kg of dried beef at the market is only from 150,000 to 200,000 VND/kg, while the raw material cost is more than 200,000 VND/kg.

Dried beef, dried squid... are items that are consumed strongly during the Lunar New Year. In the provinces and cities of the Central region, some foods sold in markets of unknown origin and unusually low prices make consumers hesitant.

There is only a little over a month left until the Lunar New Year, but Vu Anh beef jerky production facility located in a small alley on Le Duan Street, Da Nang City is still operating at a low level.

Ms. Le Thi My Anh, the owner of this facility, said that each day the facility only processes more than 100 kg of fresh beef, equivalent to about 50 kg of dried beef, only 50% of last year's Tet holiday. The price of dried beef sold in the market is currently only 1/3 compared to the price of the product produced by her facility, so it is very difficult to compete.

According to Ms. My Anh's calculation, more than 2 kg of fresh meat produces 1 kg of dried meat, while fresh beef imported from the factories is already 180,000 VND/kg, so it is impossible to sell at a cheap price. "I sell at 450,000 VND/kg, if it is any lower, there is no profit and I have nothing to pay the workers," Ms. My Anh said.

Dried beef at some markets in Da Nang is cheaper than fresh beef (illustrative photo).

These days, the price of dried beef in Da Nang city markets ranges from 150,000 - 200,000 VND/kg, lower than the price of raw materials. Not only dried beef, many other foods also have unusually low prices such as dried fish, dried squid with spices... The unusually low prices make many people worry about the quality of the products.

Da Nang City has established food safety inspection teams, focusing on inspecting groups of products that are consumed heavily during Tet, including dried beef, dried squid, cakes, jams, spring rolls, etc.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Head of the Inspection Department - Food Safety and Hygiene Department of Da Nang City, warned that some products such as dried beef and dried squid sold in markets, although having labels and origins, have unusually low prices, so consumers should be careful when choosing to buy.

“For example, dried beef, according to market surveys, is only priced at 150,000 - 200,000 VND/kg, while fuel costs are more than 200,000 VND/kg. We are investigating to clarify food safety and quality issues,” said Mr. Hoa.

According to VOV.online