Are Beef Processors Profiting From Ox Gallstones?

Gallstones are formed when bile contains too much bilirubin. This is caused by liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and other health conditions.

When a gallstone blocks one of your bile ducts it can cause a condition called biliary colic. This causes pain in your right upper abdomen for up to 30 minutes.

Supply and Demand

MONDAY’S report that an abattoir worker in Australia has been charged with stealing gallstones at a Southeast Queensland slaughter plant has caused much interest in the supply of the rare ox byproduct. But the truth is that ox gallstones are a highly rare commodity; that the Australian cattle industry produces just one metric ton of them annually and the global production figure stands at 200kg or so, according to a well-known dealer in the commodity.

Gallstones are a natural byproduct of the gall bladder in older slaughter animals, and they form during the bile extraction process on the eviscera table at abattoirs. They are found on a wide range of cattle types and vary in shape, size, and colour. Whole, smooth, lustrous stones are the most prized and command high prices. Dark and pitted stones, as well as broken pieces, are less valuable.

The price of ox gallstones depends on many factors. Among them are the shape, size and colour; dryness; and the number of whole and broken pieces. The highest prices are paid for whole, lustrous, golden-coloured stones.

Another factor that affects the prices of ox gallstones is their quality. Stones that are whole, smooth, and free from any imperfections or lumps of calcite, can fetch the best prices.

Aside from their innate beauty, gallstones are also valued for their medicinal properties. They are a staple ingredient in a variety of proprietary Chinese medicines, and they have been used for this purpose since the time of ancient China.

However, the domestic supply of these precious stones is lagging behind demand in China. This lack of supply has resulted in the emergence of artificial/ synthetic gallstones.

Nevertheless, they are still in demand around the world as a rare byproduct of cattle slaughter and have a huge export potential to markets such as Hong Kong. The price of ox gallstones is expected to increase in the near future as more and more people become aware of their use as an alternative medicine.

But the problem is that the supply of ox gallstones in Palestine will soon outstrip demand. Therefore, it is necessary for beef processing plants in the United States and elsewhere to take note of this huge export opportunity.

Exports

MONDAY’s gallstone theft report on our news site has aroused considerable interest in the commodity, which can be worth up to $20,000 per kilogram. The claim has raised questions about whether processors are profiting from ox gallstones, at the expense of beef producers.

Firstly, it’s important to understand that the Australian cattle industry only produces a small amount of gallstones each year – about 200kg, according to one of Australia’s major dealers in the product. That means that it is extremely rare for meat processing plants to make a substantial fortune by harvesting them from slaughtered animals.

Second, the price of ox gallstones fluctuates wildly between buyers, so it is best to keep an eye on how much they are paying and use that information when negotiating with your supplier. A good buyer will inspect your ox gallstones, weigh them, and offer you a fair price.

Thirdly, it is vital to dry and preserve ox gallstones properly to make the most of your profits. If you do not, the bilirubin that makes them so valuable will be destroyed. It will also break down into smaller bits and powder, reducing your overall profit.

For this reason, it is crucial to store and dehydrate your gallstones in a dark place where bilirubin is not exposed to light. This will help ensure that your stones retain their value and prevent them from becoming brittle or breaking apart when you ship them overseas.

Finally, remember to only sell your gallstones to reputable buyers. The illegal trade in ox gallstones is rife, and it is essential that your business is legitimate to avoid losing out on your profits.

The best way to start selling ox gallstones is to locate a local abattoir and work with them to develop good relationships that will yield you a steady income over the long term. Once you have built up a relationship with your supplier and are happy that you can send them a regular supply of gallstones, you will find it easy to start making a profit.

Once you are established in the business, it is a simple matter of sourcing more ox gallstones and sending them off to your preferred buyer. A small package of 50 grams costs about $50 to ship, so you could be looking at a $250 profit if you can get the right prices.

Imports

Despite the gallstone theft report that hit social media last Monday, beef processors are not making a fortune from the cattle byproduct. The entire global supply is barely 200kg, according to one of the industry’s top dealers in the commodity.

Rather, these small but precious gems are being used in Asian alternate medicines: Chinese herbal supplements that are prized in China for their ability to treat various illnesses and improve wellbeing. The domestic market for ox gallstones is insufficient to meet this demand, which has led to the development of synthetic/ artificial alternatives.

As a result, the price for these rarer, higher-quality stones has skyrocketed to an all-time high. Among the buyers VICE spoke to, one was quoted as paying $57 USD per gram of average quality product. Another said he paid $60 for “higher grade” products, while a number of other traders posted prices at anywhere between $42 and $77 USD.

The market for ox gallstones is growing rapidly in the Arab world, with many Arab countries importing from Asia to meet their demand for this natural byproduct. The most important market is Hong Kong, which has been importing ox gallstones for over 10 years.

In addition, the demand for ox gallstones in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry is also on the rise. Currently, the Chinese pharmaceutical industry requires 100 metric tons (MT) of these gemstones to manufacture a range of proprietary Chinese medicine.

However, the domestic supply is only around one MT a year, which has prompted manufacturers to look elsewhere for alternative sources of these stones. As a result, the ox gallstones market has become very competitive.

For this reason, it is important to understand what makes these stones worth a premium. This can be determined by the stone’s shape, size, colour and texture. Whole, smooth, lustrous, golden specimens are generally more valuable than dark and pitted ones.

For that reason, ox gallstones have become a hot commodity in the Middle East. In fact, the imports of these gems from Australia and other countries in the region have soared. It is possible that this trend will continue as the Chinese government pushes for a wider use of gallstones in Chinese medicine.

Price

A MONDAY’S news report of an abattoir employee being charged with gallstone theft has prompted social media debate as to how processors are making a fortune from the animal byproduct at beef producers’ expense. One gallstone broker offered $50,000 for a kilogram on a private butchers’ Facebook group, while others said they pay around $57 USD per gram for “average quality” stone and $60 USD for “high grade” ones.

But the fact is that cattle gallstones are rare, and they are a valuable animal byproduct whose price has skyrocketed in recent years. For this reason, it’s not surprising that slaughterhouses have cottoned on to the lucrative market.

These days, they’re in high demand as a precious Chinese herbal medicine. They’re a precious source of bilirubin, which Chinese medicine experts believe can be used to treat a range of ailments. They can be harvested from cattle without any special processing, or they can be combined with other ingredients as a proprietary Chinese medicine.

Gallstones come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including round, egg-shaped, square or pyramid-shaped. The value of individual stones is determined by their dryness, colour, texture and size. Whole, smooth, lustrous, golden specimens attract the highest prices. Dark and pitted stones, on the other hand, are of less value.

As a result, there is a huge export potential for this cattle byproduct, particularly to the Hong Kong market. According to Volza’s data, 192 shipments of ox gallstones have been imported by 41 Hong Kong importers so far.

This is a major market for this product, and the demand for it is expected to continue growing. Currently, the global ox gallstone market is worth about $70 million USD a year.

The biggest market for ox gallstones is Asia, with Hong Kong and China consuming most of the product. These markets require about 100 metric tons of these products each year, but domestic production is limited.

In Australia, the gallstone trade is dominated by Sunshine Trading: a family business that works with slaughterhouses nationwide to collect, store and sell cattle gallstones for maximum profit. Gerard Murtagh, the company’s Director of International Sales, tells VICE that his business is a “market leader in Australia.” The company says it has made an effort to educate meat workers about the value of gallstones: telling gutties that it’s important to dry, preserve and keep their stones for maximum profits.

Are Beef Processors Profiting From Ox Gallstones?