AZE.US
Beef tenderloin prices in Azerbaijan have risen to 34-35 manats per kilogram, driven by strong demand from restaurants and the limited amount of this cut available from each animal.
Tenderloin is one of the softest and most valued parts of beef. It is widely used in dishes such as kebab, qovurma, dolma, bozartma, saj meals, steaks and other restaurant meat dishes. But butchers say the problem is simple: there is very little of it in each animal.
According to sellers, a bull weighing about 200-250 kilograms produces only around 3-3.5 kilograms of tenderloin. In lamb, the amount is even smaller – about 150-200 grams – which is why lamb tenderloin is usually not sold separately and remains attached to the loin section.
Butchers say tenderloin was previously sold together with other meat cuts. As demand increased, especially from cafes and restaurants, it began to be separated and sold as a premium product.
Restaurants in Baku are now one of the main drivers of demand. Sellers say many establishments use tenderloin for steaks, fried meat dishes and quick-cooked portions because it has no bones, few fibers and almost no tough connective tissue. A portion can be prepared in about 7-8 minutes, making it especially attractive for restaurant kitchens.
Some restaurants may need at least 15-20 kilograms of tenderloin per day, sellers say. Local supply is not enough to meet that level of demand, which has pushed many businesses toward imported meat.
Imported beef tenderloin from Brazil and Ukraine is available on the market at much lower prices – around 18-19 manats per kilogram. Sellers explain the price difference by the larger scale of livestock production in those countries, where supply is higher and production costs are more competitive.
Still, traders say the imported segment has also come under pressure. Over the past two months, supply has tightened because demand for tenderloin has increased in exporting countries as well. As a result, less imported product is reaching Azerbaijan.
Before the latest increase, tenderloin prices were generally around 27-30 manats per kilogram, depending on origin and quality. Now local beef tenderloin is being sold for 34-35 manats, while imported tenderloin continues to appear in social media sales listings at around 18-19 manats.
The market is now split between expensive local tenderloin with limited supply and cheaper imported cuts used heavily by restaurants. If imports continue to shrink, sellers warn that price pressure may increase further.
AZE.US