What's going on with chicken giblets??

Question

Not but a couple years ago, we used to be able to buy chicken giblets (mixed hearts and gizzards) for a very cheap price. We used to make them up with gravy and serve them over rice -- we have four dogs and they loved this meal, as they usually got some the next morning too. The giblets were so cheap that we had them once a week or so.

But lately, we can't find mixed "giblets" -- hearts and gizzards are packaged separately. And the price is outrageous! $5.70/Kg !!! We can get cuts of pork and chicken legs-&-thighs for around $2/kg, so that seems outrageous.

I know that the status of meats can change. For example, chicken wings used to be considered unsellable, but once "wings" became a delicacy, they became very expensive.

Answer 1

it's not that long ago that they used to come free inside of the chickens with the neck. now they strip out everything. it totally sucks. giblets have risen in price alot here. maybe they have found that pet food outlets buy them. I don't know. but I share your outrage. Why not write to a couple of the big suppliers where you live and ask them?

Answer 2

I live in Washington state. For the longest time, it got to the point where you couldn't even find the organ meats in the local stores because of "health" changes.



Now that we have a high influx of people from South America, I'm seeing all the organ meats come back - but naturally at a price.



When my father was young, the butchers would give all the organ meats away free (and when my hubby was young). That is how my grandmother was able to support my father after her husband died.



And, as you said, the more something becomes the latest fad, the higher the price. I remember when they used to sell something called Mock Drumsticks which was ground veal shaped into the shape of a chicken drumstick. Now look at the price of veal. Veal used to be cheaper than chicken. Not any more.

Answer 3

I'm guessing that like thighs, drumsticks, and chicken feet, they're being exported to other countries that have a greater demand for them, like China and Russia. Here in the U.S., there is a general preference for white/breast meat. Fast food places discount the price of thighs and legs greatly to move them. The price per weight of dark meat is a fraction to that charged for white meat. The industry is trying to get maximum return for their effort in growing the chickens.



Also, I'm guessing your vendor is charging a premium for an item they don't have much of a demand for. You're offsetting their losses from spoilage of the product they can't move. For example, beef tongue is relatively affordable in ethnic markets, but very pricey in standard supermarkets here in Los Angeles.

Answer 4

I live in California and I buy chicken giblets for my dog and they are only about $1. (or less) per pound. Also, I can buy them mixed, or separate.

Answer 5

they are still mixed here in long beach california