Meat and poultry: mutton, chicken, goat, how to buy well
Decide what exactly you need
There is a big difference between "taking half a carcass" and "buying a few kilograms of boneless cuts". A half or quarter carcass of mutton or goat usually works out cheaper per kilogram, but it comes with bones, fat and trimmings that need processing. Individual cuts cost more but are ready to cook. Poultry is the same: a whole dressed bird is cheaper, fillets or leg pieces cost more.
Chilled or frozen
Chilled meat is tastier and juicier, but it keeps only for a few days. Frozen meat can be stocked up, but it should not be frozen again. If you take a large batch, it helps to ask the seller to pack it in portions, so you take out only what you need.
Farm-raised or commercial
"Farm-raised" usually means animals reared on a farm, sometimes without compound feed; it differs in taste and fat. Commercial meat is more consistent in quality and often easier on paperwork. Ask about feeding, the age of the animal, the breed and whether there is a veterinary certificate. If you are buying for a cafe or restaurant, paperwork is a must.
What to put in your request
- what exactly — mutton, goat, chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit;
- cut and butchery — half carcass, quarter, particular cuts, mince, offal, dressed birds;
- weight or quantity — in kilograms or number of birds;
- chilled or frozen;
- farm-raised or commercial — feeding, breed;
- one-off or regular — for a family, a restaurant or a shop;
- documents — veterinary certificate, invoices;
- city, delivery or pick-up and budget per kilogram.
Example: “Looking for farm-raised goat meat, a half carcass of about 20 kg, chilled, with a vet certificate. Pick-up near Sydney or delivery to a nearby town. Budget up to $11 per kg.”
How ordering works on BlaBlaPrice
Instead of searching for farmers through classified ads, you describe your request on the home page, and sellers of meat and poultry in your region reply in the chat. They write what they offer, the price per kilogram, whether they have documents, and how and when you can collect or get delivery.
The offers are compared, and the best one by content is shown first. Next to it you see seller reviews, which matter especially for meat. Sellers see their place among the others and compete for the request. Your phone stays hidden until you choose a seller. More on the How it works page.
How to compare replies
Compare the price per kilogram for comparable items: "with bone" and "boneless" are different things. Ask whether the weight is stated before or after processing. Ask about the cold chain during delivery and the storage conditions. For regular supply, agree on a schedule and a trial batch.
With meat people often also buy eggs and dairy, fish or vegetables.
