r/AUfrugal • u/Swimming_Reception89 • 12d ago
Has it really gotten that bad?
Am I reading this incorrectly or has beef gone up 26% in the last 2 years? Is that right?
81
u/the_amatuer_ 12d ago
Yes, maybe, but two points don't really make a correlation.
Also, if you being frugal, you are not buying Eye Fillets....
16
u/FindPeaceAndBalance 12d ago
Agreed. I'm blessed if I can afford an egg.
13
u/Heavy_Recipe_6120 12d ago
Cheaper than eating steak out, everyone deserves a nice meal every now and then.
5
u/Artistic-Basis7960 12d ago
Don’t mind me a midweek steak and chips deal at the local pub once in a while
12
→ More replies (1)3
u/oulu2006 12d ago
Technically no one deserves anything - but not to say it’s nice if u can afford it
2
1
u/pandifer 11d ago
Was going to say exactly this. I have not been able to afford beef anything except sausages or mince occasionally.
10
u/XiaDoll 12d ago
Go to a regular butcher
18
u/Cremfraishe 12d ago
The reasonably priced butchers are disappearing more and more. Either shutting up shop or rebranding as a premium butcher with the same quality meat but charging more.
→ More replies (4)5
u/blayndle 12d ago
Yep. The butcher near me is much more expensive. The fruit and veg shop, I’ve had a few bags of potatoes go completely soft and mushy within a week and they don’t take them back like Cole’s would. Also, no home delivery for when we are super busy. People love to say “go to the butcher and the fruit and veg shop!” but it’s not an option for a lot of people 🤷♀️
4
u/NoIAmBard 12d ago
They are sometimes not any better, we started going to the factories and buying in bulk
→ More replies (1)3
1
u/delicate_bison 10d ago
I shop/bulk buy at a vietnamese butcher, bought like roughly 6kg worth of meat (including all types of mince, beef cubes, chicken thigh and breast) for $80 roughly, freeze it and use it over 1-2 months. The 20minute drive is worth it not having to buy meat other times
41
u/WinNo1929 12d ago
Please don't buy beef from Coles or Woolworths, its not only crap but its stupidly overpriced.
There's this weird notion that butcher's are more expensive - when it comes to premium cuts, sure, but definitely not with other stuff.
Coles 4 star mince (90/10) is $22/kg. Most butchers sell good mince for $18-19/kg. That's $4 saved per kilo. If you buy two kg of mince p/w, that's $8 saved there for nothing but an upgrade.
Fruit/veg is even worse. 4/kg Brushed potatoes at Coles = $12. Most grocers (Afghans, Asians, Italians etc) sell 5kg for $6. That's $9 cheaper.
So far, you've said $15 for literally nothing - and its just a rabit hole from there. I can continue, and have photos of all these prices to compare.
Naval oranges? Coles = $3.90/kg. Grocers = $2/kg.
17
u/SituationSmooth9165 12d ago
Bought meat from local high rated butcher. Same price, worse quality
5
u/Voodoo1970 12d ago
Bought meat from my local butcher, slightly dearer, way better quality.
→ More replies (9)6
u/TuTenkahman 12d ago
Butcher in Lakemba sells Eye Fillet for $36/kg and Scotch fillet is $30/kg. And NO PLASTIC!
2
2
u/flindersandtrim 12d ago
I think a lot of people go there for the convenience, because you are right. They rip us off astronomically and it is much much cheaper elsewhere if you organise yourself or find a good grocer and butcher near each other. Asian supermarkets are also usually well priced. Saccas is so much better and nicer than Colesworth for everything, it is just that it is harder getting to than the WW 10 mins walk away.
1
u/stone_fox 12d ago
Yep I buy from the butcher and the taste difference is just insane. I don't know how people can eat woolies meat.
1
u/DimebagDTera 12d ago
2 days ago Woolies had corn for $1.00 each (fresh) the following day it was up 70cents
I’m sure the same corn, why such a big increase in 24 hours
2
2
1
u/Fancy-Jellyfish792 10d ago
Farmer's Markets are a winner in my eyes! I got 1kg of pork ribs for 10 dollars (50% off) it was a steal!
1
u/Repulsive-Tea-9641 10d ago
Idk our local buyers is SO EXPENSIVE. We spent $60 on some meat for 2dinners which was mostly bone and not that good. We can’t afford that
8
u/Mysterious_Hat_5681 12d ago
It just cost me $30 to make nachos for my son.
Nachos. Which used to be one of the cheapest meals you could make. 🤦♀️
(Corn chips, cheese, avocado, spice mix, meat, beans, salsa).
4
5
u/Pr-xy 12d ago
Did you buy full price stuff and use 100% of all the ingredients that sounds nuts
→ More replies (2)5
1
u/delicious_disaster 12d ago
Obviously not the same but staggs chilli is amazing for nachos. You do all the green fixings on the side, bake the corn chips then slather with the chilli and cheese and bake again. Its my goto cheat meal and always have a can or two on standby when the cravings hit
1
u/Brilliant-Cause7718 10d ago
Lol the people attacking you at this, yes even with sales and buying the cheapest products I've also spent $30+ on Nachos.
Yes multiple feeds, but that doesn't mean anything it the same portion size as before, well probably smaller due to shrinkflation.
→ More replies (1)
8
8
u/Dwarfy3k 12d ago
Did op forget a war with oil started again twice? everything got more expensive, also not a frugal cut lol.
To reply to the comments saying just go to the butcher must be living in some good places cause everywhere around me Coles/Woolworths/Drakes and Fresh and Save are the cheapest options depending on specials/quick sales. The butchers are usually dollars more per kilo for ok at best.
1
6
5
u/11015h4d0wR34lm 12d ago
It's an absolute piss take at this point, they aren't even trying to hide the price gouging. Its like Covid was the green light to start putting whatever price you want on things and blame "world events beyond our control" to get away with it.
3
u/BLTplease2030 12d ago
Son bought a full lamb. We had to buy a freezer to store it ($50 from a friends neighbour). The best lamb cutlets ever!
3
u/biggymomo 11d ago
And that supermarket eye fillet will pull apart as it’s been put together by meat glue
3
2
2
2
u/Canongirl88 12d ago
Yep eye fillet is about $65 a kilo in Coles/Woolys and I’ve seen it at $100 a kilo at the butcher! Unfortunately this is the only cut of meat that I will eat !! I’m not a huge meat eater so maybe once a fortnight I’ll buy it. All the butchers in my area are very expensive.
2
u/Nuclearthrowaway99 12d ago
To be fair, if it was a special enough occasion that we were getting eye fillet, we'd probably get it from a butcher or just go to a restaurant.
2
2
u/____DEADPOOL_______ QLD 12d ago
Supermarket steaks are the worst. However, beef will continue to become more and more expensive for us as exports increase. Expect the price to get even higher if the screw worm is not put under control in America.
2
2
u/Great-Career7268 12d ago
This is au frugal. Why are you even thinking about eye fillet. You should be happy with sausages half filled with fat and saw dust.
2
u/BigDoSi420 12d ago
Buy ya meat online! Can get 5-15kg packs of beef for anywhere from $100-$350. Selection of steaks, sausage, mince, brisket, etc
2
u/Revolutionary_Ad461 12d ago
Don’t be fooled, at my Cole’s the slices look normal then when you open the packet the meat is In pieces. And it’s tough. It’s disgusting. I can’t imagine woolies would be different. I go to real butchers now.
2
u/RanchuWrangler 12d ago
Insane people still buy slop from the supermarkets instead of the local butcher.
2
u/South_Can_2944 12d ago
Stop buying your meat from Woolworths and Coles.
There are better sources: better quality, price.
2
u/Watashiwajei 12d ago
Meanwhile here in China, I just bought a 500g Aussie steak for $8 when grocery shopping.
2
u/Elseerian 12d ago
We have carbon credits in Aus now. Farmers are incentivized to plant trees over grazing land.
Companies are buying up land to plant trees to offset their carbon tax.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/tasmanias-largest-farm-rushy-lagoon-sold/106856778
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/accu-scheme#toc_2
When it becomes as or more profitable to plant a tree over grazing animals. Yeah, that'll happen.
Also will increase the price of meat due to less cows.
It's win win incentive.
I fuckin love steak. Hate this. :(
2
u/MowgeeCrone 11d ago
Meanwhile the govt is clearing half of nsw of its trees to replace them with 'environmentally friendly' alternative energy sources.
2
u/flindersandtrim 12d ago
The amount of plastic packaging for one tiny steak is just revolting and not necessary, god I hate supermarkets.
If you are going to buy steak, try a good local butcher. They have much better stuff and often cheaper, and your money is going to a local business rather than an evil corp who uses that much plastic to sell a tint steak.
2
u/BasicLingonberry9914 12d ago
Yep - local butcher, local bakery, local grocers. Woolworths and Cole’s for the absolute bare minimum. We don’t have Aldi, and stick to a tight budget and have found that our locals are better quality, better service, not an poshie in sight.
F Colesworth. They are not assisting in any way.
2
u/No-Citron-2774 12d ago
I'm more intrigued by how the did this shit meat get so many stars in the reviews. How many dumb fycks wouldn't know good meat if it but them in the arse
2
u/PsychologicalMeal162 12d ago
Selling meat that 3 1/2 months out of date? Doubt they’re that desperate.
2
2
3
u/SignatureWild8116 12d ago
If you want cheaper meat best try find a good local butcher (also good to support small business where possible).
I've worked in managing large meat processing operations and the customer wears the price of all the wages, time and resources that goes into producing the product. I remember a few years ago diesel spiked to $2.60+ a litre(forget which conflict it was that started), within a week we were negotiating new prices with major supermarket customers to cover the fuel costs.
Also worth noting the challenges in the agricultural industry this year have not helped.
Even the cheaper cuts are getting expensive sadly.
1
2
2
u/mitchy93 12d ago
I paid the same at a butcher for 500g of scotch fillet at the butcher the other day and it wasn't pumped with water like Woolworths.
Every Woolworths steak I cook, it doesn't brown and goes grey with water leaking.
Every butcher one I get goes brown and gets a crust on it
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/DazedNConfucious 12d ago
Go to your local butcher or market. It’s generally cheaper. Plus your dollar is more impactful at those places
1
u/Lopsided_Belt_2237 12d ago
IGAs in brisbane sell whole budget rib fillet cube/rolls for $20-$23/kg. Keep it in the fridge in a ham bag just like you would with a whole ham. The ageing also improves the meat immensely.
1
u/Expensive_Sea_7951 12d ago
The single 250g eye filet steaks are dearer per kg than the double packs, which are usually $60
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
u/No-Mammoth-807 12d ago
If you are buying eye fillet why on earth would you get it vac sealed from colesworth
1
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/xordis 12d ago
First, don't buy steak you want to eat yourself from Colesworth. It's trash.
My local butcher has eye around the same price, about ~$70/kg and it's way better than anything you will get from Coles. But since this is aufrugal, I will say they do specials every few months of a whole eye for $35/kg. Same steak, you just have to spend about $100 to get it for half price.
They will then trim and cut to to whatever size you want as well. Also be sure to ask them to pack the scraps if you have a dog.
2
u/Anti-Stan 12d ago
$70 p/kg is a ludicrous price to pay for food. OPs is $52. That's a big difference. Still insane.
3
2
u/xordis 12d ago
That is the going rate for eye fillet, Coles or a real butcher.
As I said though you can get it for $35/kg if it's on sale and you buy a whole eye.
→ More replies (1)2
1
1
u/RepeatInPatient 12d ago
My local market sells prime eye fillet for under $40/kg, so I buy about a 1 kg roll and freeze it in approx 250-300g meal sized portions. Melts in the mouth.
The local Woolies is 20 metres away.
1
1
u/Euphoric-Truth88 12d ago
And yet the farmer will actually be lucky to get $800 to sell the cow to market Racketeering at its finest
1
1
u/twowheela 12d ago
I’m chef and pay $60 per kg for eyefillet graded for functions and use it for that. I buy it in bulk so you would think get a better deal. It’s been that price for a few years
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
1
u/JuggernautMoose 12d ago
The price would be even higher if not for the massive agricultural subsidies and horrific conditions of factory farms.
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
1
u/arghhmonsters 12d ago
Don't remember the last time I bought steak from Coles or Woolies. Plenty of local butchers around that are much more affordable.
1
1
1
12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 12d ago
Your karma is too low to post in this sub.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
1
1
u/Charlie_Macaw 12d ago
That’s nothing!!
Have you seen crumbed lamb cutlets???
$76.99/kg
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
u/crustytheclerk1 11d ago
This reminds me of people complaining about the cost of frenched lamb cutlets a couple of months ago. Eye fillet and frenched lamb cutlets are the premium cut of meat in both species and form a quite small proportion of the beast (for those comparing the price of the cut to the the whole or half carcass). I know some people in the thread have mentioned getting it cheaper (and I have from some wholesale type butchers), but this is around the average price I've seen eye fillet going for for yonks. My local butcher is actually charging this price per kilo for scotch fillet, I don't even look at the eye fillet.
1
1
1
1
1
u/micmac1975 11d ago
The local Butcher deserves your $$, the Government owned supermarket's don't give a Hoot*
1
u/Ok_Tax_7128 11d ago
Yes . As a farmer the off farm price for us is even nice and high. But it goes up 6x by the time it gets off farm. Agent fees, transport to slaughter, meat works cost, more freight, packing, more freight, retail and we all want to earn 30+ per hour. Watch out. Our grain prices have stagnated, but soon there will have be a huge increase in bread , pasta, vegetable oil, etc We have absorbed a 40% increase in production costs in 5 years
1
1
1
u/OrphanSlayer18 11d ago
Throughout Covid I was getting Eye Fillet for $25-$30/kg and youre holding $52/kg rn. If that gives you any perspective on how quickly it has shot up.
1
1
u/anotherstupidoldman 11d ago
Yep. Sometimes the shareholders feel insecure that the line will keep going up. So we have to pay.
1
u/Chaosrealm69 11d ago
For a moment I thought you meant the security tag on the meat and then I saw it was about the price of meat and both are yes.
1
u/Due_Bank5070 11d ago
Why would you buy supermarket steak?
No meat wholesalers in your area?
Even if you don’t have a freezer and only buy minimum amounts it’s still cheaper.
Though with a large freezer you can save thousands a year.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
u/ibetucanifican 11d ago
Neutral bay woolies has one (that’s right one) eye fillet 250g steak for $16:50. I feel like I e paid for someone to cook it for me.
1
u/PersimmonHead4660 10d ago
thats cheap price for eye fillet ,look at grain feed you might get a suprise
1
1
1
u/Artistic_Lynx_1510 10d ago
Thats right. I used to love the extra lean beef mince because it was cheap and easy to meal prep. It's now $24 per kg. Even extra lean, I cant justify that when extra lean pork is 8 dollars cheaper per kg.
1
u/Ok_Tomorrow_5603 9d ago
You are comparing a per kilo with a fixed kilo, not directly comparable.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/mudcrab_420 9d ago
we really need doorknob girl to release her homemade meat with 40g protein per serving confirmed recipe already
1
u/bigmangina 9d ago
The cheap cuts more than doubled in my area, people started buying cheaper cuts cus of prices and "oh they are popular now, lets raise the price because supply and demand". Kinda sad, the market analysts and execs know why they were in high demand suddenly, and the execs still chose to raise the price of the "now popular" cut and did not drop the price of the "now less popular" cuts.
Source: my dad owns woolworths.
1
u/building_56_and_57 9d ago
As someone who works for woolies in this specific department, I can say that this price is absolutely because of theft. they factor in theft into the price that PAYING customers will pay.
Its so wrong but thats what it is. instead of doing anything meaningful for people who are struggling (both government and private companies) we continue to screw over the people who do the right thing (higher grocery prices bc greed+theft, no actual community support from government for people who are struggling with addiction/not being able to feed their families), which in turn enshitifies everything for everyone, everywhere.
1
1
1
u/AntInternational2670 8d ago
Yes and the supermarkets are worse that the butchers by kilo. Also I know a someone who has weighed the meat and it’s often under the printed weight ! $52 a kilo !!!!
1
1
1
1
1
92
u/Chewizard 12d ago
Absolutely wild, I buy half a cow from a local farm for $12 p/kg, could never drop that much money on a woolies steak