Abstract

The study aims to determine the available beef and chicken edible offals and their prices in four major retail stores in Gaborone, Botswana. Traditionally, edible beef and chicken offal were available and sold in rural meat and informal markets around Gaborone, but recently upmarket retail stores of Gaborone sell these products. The study was done over a period of twelve months. Amongst the offals noted in the retail stores were ox tail, tongue, spleen, ox heel, kidneys, intestines, rumen, omasum, liver and ox heart for beef and feet, liver, gizzards, intestines, necks and kidneys for chicken. Offals were cheaper than the cheapest standard beef and chicken cuts being the chuck/brisket or stewing beef for beef and breast for chicken. Green beef offals were generally cheaper than red offals. The most expensive beef offal was ox tail at ~P60.00, and the cheapest offal was ox heel at ~P19.95 (USD1.00 ~ BWP11.00). For chicken, the gizzards were the most expensive at ~P49.45, with the necks being the cheapest at ~P26.59. Improved marketing and utilization of offals will reduce meat wastage. Meat processors will consequently generate more income, and assist with food security and nutrition at household level.

Key words: Beef, chicken, edible offal products, pricing, retail chain stores.