The average wholesale price of beef in the national agricultural wholesale market is 70.40 yuan/kg, and the wholesale price of mutton is 68.06 yuan/jin, which is an increase of about 17 and 12% respectively compared with the same period last year. The retail price of beef and mutton in various places varies greatly depending on the region. The mainstream price of beef is between 40-45 yuan, and the price of beef in some distribution areas is as high as 50-60 yuan/jin; the mainstream retail price of mutton is 38-38 yuan/catties. 45 yuan, and in high-priced areas it can reach more than 50 yuan per pound.

Why is it said that the price of beef and mutton will rise to a certain extent during the period before the Spring Festival? There are several main reasons:

First, the festival factor. Two festivals are approaching, especially the Spring Festival, which is the most solemn traditional festival in our country with large consumption and relatively long duration. During the festival, the consumption of beef and mutton will usher in the most vigorous consumption period of the year. Judging from the current situation, the price of beef and mutton will increase to a certain extent every New Year's Day and Spring Festival, and this year will be no exception. Driven by holiday consumption, prices will continue to rise.

Second, the substitution factor of beef and mutton for pork. This is also an important factor. At present, the price of pork is concentrated at 25-28 yuan in most areas, and it is still at a high level of more than 30 yuan in a few areas. Compared with beef and mutton, the price/performance ratio of pork is really too low, so there will be some Consumers will appropriately increase their consumption of beef and mutton and reduce their consumption of pork, leading to an increase in the demand for beef and mutton and an increase in prices.

Third, the rising consumption index has boosted meat prices. Starting from July this year, affected by the continued rise in pork prices, my country's household consumption index CPI has continued to refresh history, rising from 2.8 in July to 4.5 in November. Some institutions predict that by January next year, the CPI index is expected to exceed 6. High position. Affected by this, beef and mutton prices still have the momentum to rise.

To sum up, during the Spring Festival in the future, the price of beef and mutton will still have a certain upward trend. If calculated according to the increase ratio of 5, the wholesale price of beef is expected to reach about 74 yuan per kilogram, and the price of mutton is expected to reach about 74 yuan per kilogram. The wholesale price is about 72 yuan per kilogram, or even higher. Of course, the retail price in various places will also rise, and each place will increase by another 2 or 3 yuan on the current basis.