Oxtail Prices - Buy Oxtail in Bulk
Discover oxtail prices and buy oxtail in bulk for your business or personal use. Get the best deals on fresh, high-quality oxtail from trusted suppliers. Order in bulk today!

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Once a humble comfort food, oxtail has risen in popularity across global cuisines, from Caribbean stews and African soups to gourmet braises in European kitchens. Its rich flavor, gelatinous texture, and slow-cook appeal have made it a sought-after delicacy among home cooks, chefs, and specialty butchers. For wholesale buyers, restaurants, and catering businesses, sourcing oxtail in bulk offers cost savings and consistency. But prices can vary widely based on quality, supply, and demand. In this guide, we’ll break down the current oxtail prices, explore what drives the cost, and highlight trends shaping bulk purchasing decisions.
What Are the Current Oxtail Prices?
Wholesale oxtail prices typically range between £7 and £12 per kg, depending on origin, cut style (whole vs pre-portioned), and supplier volume. Premium grass-fed or export-grade oxtail can fetch higher rates, often around £13–£16 per kg. In retail settings, prices can soar to £14–£20 per kg due to packaging, trimming, and retailer margins. Oxtail is usually sold frozen or fresh in bulk packs ranging from 5 to 15 kg. For foodservice buyers, pricing becomes more favorable when ordering multiple cartons or entering into long-term contracts with meat distributors.
Factors Affecting Oxtail Prices
1. Limited Supply Per Animal
Oxtail comes from a single part of the cow (its tail) which yields only a small quantity per carcass. Compared to cuts like chuck or brisket, the amount of oxtail is minimal, creating a supply bottleneck. Even as overall beef production rises, the limited nature of this cut means prices often stay high due to constrained supply, especially when demand spikes.
2. Rising Global Demand
Oxtail has gained massive popularity in recent years across diverse culinary cultures. It’s a staple in traditional dishes like Jamaican oxtail stew, Filipino kare-kare, and South African potjiekos. As global food trends embrace slow cooking and bone-in cuts, demand for oxtail has surged not just in ethnic markets, but also in high-end restaurants. This growing demand puts upward pressure on wholesale and retail prices alike.
3. Labour-Intensive Processing
Oxtail requires precise butchering and trimming to ensure a consistent size and appearance, especially when sold in portioned packs. Suppliers often need to segment the tail into uniform cross-sections, removing excess fat and cartilage. This manual processing increases labor costs, which are passed on in the wholesale price, particularly when the oxtail is pre-packaged or vacuum-sealed for premium presentation.
4. Bone-to-Meat Ratio
Unlike other cuts, oxtail has a high bone content relative to its meat. While this makes it perfect for broths and stews, it means buyers get less edible meat per kilo. The perceived value-to-yield ratio affects how it’s priced, especially for chefs and buyers focused on food cost percentages. This makes wholesale purchasing more economical, allowing bulk buyers to negotiate better per-kilo value.
5. Import Costs and Local Availability
The cost of importing oxtail from countries like Brazil, Australia, or the EU affects local prices, especially in regions like the UK, where domestic production may not meet niche demand. Currency fluctuations, tariffs, and cold-chain logistics all play a role in the final landed cost. Brexit-related trade barriers and transport surcharges can further increase prices for UK-based buyers.
Top International Oxtail Suppliers
1. Oxtail & Trotter
Oxtail & Trotter is a heritage butcher shop based in Audlem, with over 150 years of traditional butchery experience. True to their name, they proudly offer premium, locally sourced oxtail, expertly prepared for rich stews and slow-cooked dishes. Their commitment to quality, animal welfare, and sustainable sourcing ensures each cut delivers bold flavor and tender texture. Perfect for chefs and food lovers who want authentic, hearty ingredients, Oxtail & Trotter’s oxtail brings tradition and taste together in every serving.
2. Cheverton Farm Butchers (Isle of Wight Meat Co.)
Cheverton Farm Butchers supplies naturally raised meats from the Isle of Wight, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and flavor. Their tender and flavorful oxtail is a standout offering, ideal for slow cooking and traditional recipes. Using Himalayan salt-aging methods, they enhance the depth and richness of their meats, making their oxtail a top choice for discerning customers. Sourced locally and prepared with care, their oxtail delivers both culinary excellence and ethical peace of mind to kitchens across the UK.
3. Douglas Willis Ltd
Douglas Willis is a renowned Welsh butcher delivering high-quality meats directly to homes and restaurants. Among their selection, succulent Welsh oxtail is highly regarded for its balance of meat and marrow-rich bone—perfect for stews, soups, and broths. Sourced from their own farm, every cut reflects freshness, traceability, and traditional butchery techniques. Douglas Willis is trusted by both chefs and home cooks for producing consistently tender oxtail that’s ready to elevate classic comfort food dishes with rich, satisfying flavor.
4. Pak Butchers UK Ltd
Pak Butchers is a leading halal meat supplier known for offering a wide range of fresh, certified products across the UK. Their premium halal oxtail is expertly butchered to provide excellent meat-to-bone ratio, making it ideal for cultural dishes like Caribbean oxtail stew and South Asian curries. Their attention to halal standards, freshness, and hygiene ensures a product that’s flavorful, tender, and ready for slow-cooking. With online ordering and home delivery options, Pak Butchers makes it easy to source top-quality oxtail.
5. S.R. Cooper Meats Ltd
S.R. Cooper Meats has been supplying the UK’s foodservice sector with top-tier meat for over 100 years. Their carefully prepared oxtail is a customer favorite, known for its depth of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture when slow-cooked. Ideal for caterers, restaurants, and culinary professionals, their oxtail is always fresh, well-portioned, and sourced to meet high industry standards. With a strong reputation for reliability and consistency, S.R. Cooper Meats delivers oxtail that meets the demands of professional kitchens and gourmet menus alike.
6. Bere Mill Farm
Bere Mill Farm is a family-run operation known for its grass-fed beef, including beautifully marbled oxtail that’s perfect for slow-cooked dishes. Raised on the Hampshire Downs, their cattle graze naturally, resulting in rich, tender cuts with deep flavor. Committed to sustainable farming and traditional practices, Bere Mill delivers fresh meat straight from the farm to your kitchen. Whether you're a chef or a home cook, their oxtail offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that adds depth and authenticity to classic stews and broths.
7. Slaghuis Saffas Braai Shop Wholesale Meat
Slaghuis brings a taste of South Africa to the UK, offering a wide variety of traditional meats, including authentic South African-style oxtail. Ideal for hearty potjie dishes and braised comfort meals, their oxtail is expertly prepared for maximum tenderness and flavor. With over 40 years of meat processing experience, Slaghuis combines heritage techniques with high-quality standards to serve customers looking for cultural flavors. Their commitment to freshness, authenticity, and premium cuts makes them a go-to for both home cooks and professional kitchens.
8. Henningsen Nederland B.V.
Henningsen Nederland specializes in dehydrated meat solutions, including premium dehydrated oxtail granules and powders for use in soups, broths, baby food, and flavoring applications. Their innovative processing techniques preserve rich oxtail flavor while extending shelf life and usability for industrial applications. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and traceability, Henningsen supplies top-tier meat ingredients to food manufacturers across Europe. Their oxtail products bring traditional taste in a modern, scalable format—ideal for food producers seeking premium flavor in compact form.
9. Farmhouse Meats Limited
Farmhouse Meats is a trusted local butcher delivering fresh-cut oxtail alongside a wide range of locally sourced meats. Known for over 30 years of excellence, their oxtail is carefully trimmed and portioned to deliver a deep, beefy flavor ideal for slow-cooked dishes like stews and soups. With a focus on personal service and top-tier quality, Farmhouse Meats provides both retail customers and chefs with reliable, premium ingredients. Their oxtail stands out for its tenderness, consistency, and readiness for home-style comfort meals.
10. Côté Food
Côté Food offers a curated selection of premium meats, including high-quality oxtail sourced from trusted farms across Europe. With an emphasis on taste, traceability, and food safety, their oxtail is a favorite among chefs looking for rich, slow-cooking cuts. Vacuum-packed for optimal freshness, Côté Food’s oxtail delivers exceptional marbling and gelatinous texture, perfect for French pot-au-feu or international dishes. Their efficient logistics and commitment to quality make them a dependable partner for foodservice buyers and gourmet kitchens across Europe.
Wholesale Oxtail Prices vs Retail Oxtail Prices
The gap between wholesale and retail oxtail pricing is often significant. While wholesale buyers may pay £8–£12 per kg, supermarket or butcher shop customers typically face retail prices of £14–£20 per kg. The added cost comes from portioning, packaging, and retailer profit margins. In some specialty stores, pre-cooked or seasoned oxtail can reach as high as £25 per kg.
For restaurants and caterers, buying in bulk allows for custom prep and portion control, drastically lowering per-serving costs. Wholesalers also offer flexible pricing on large orders, seasonal discounts, or frozen inventory, giving bulk buyers an edge over retail consumers.
Oxtail Consumer Trends
1. Surge in Home Cooking and Slow-Cooked Meals
With the rise of slow cookers, pressure cookers, and YouTube cooking channels, more people are exploring traditional recipes at home. Oxtail's transformation from tough to tender during long cooking appeals to foodies and home chefs alike. This trend is boosting demand from retailers and meal kit providers, thereby tightening wholesale availability and pushing prices higher.
2. Growing Popularity of Ethnic Cuisine
Oxtail is a foundational ingredient in many African, Caribbean, and Asian recipes. As these global cuisines gain popularity in Western markets, demand for oxtail is expanding beyond its traditional consumer base. This broadening interest is prompting retailers to stock more oxtail, which in turn increases competition among wholesalers and drives up prices.
3. High Perceived Value in Restaurants
In restaurants, oxtail is often featured in gourmet preparations like braised oxtail risotto, oxtail ravioli, or wine-braised oxtail stew. The richness of flavor and “fall-off-the-bone” texture makes it a high-value menu item. This allows chefs to justify premium pricing, which makes oxtail an attractive purchase for foodservice buyers—further intensifying demand at the wholesale level.
4. Increasing Interest in Nose-to-Tail Eating
Sustainable eating trends have led more consumers and chefs to embrace underutilized cuts like oxtail. The “nose-to-tail” philosophy encourages full animal utilization and helps reduce food waste. As a result, buyers are sourcing oxtail not only for flavor but also for ethical considerations, making it a staple in butchery boxes and farm-to-table dining experiences.
5. Frozen vs Fresh Preferences
While fresh oxtail is preferred by high-end chefs, frozen oxtail dominates the wholesale market due to its longer shelf life and easier transport. Advances in flash-freezing preserve flavor and texture, making frozen oxtail a viable alternative for bulk buyers. This has led to more consistent pricing and availability throughout the year, though seasonal spikes in demand still cause brief price hikes.
FAQs
1. Why is oxtail so expensive in the UK?
Oxtail is expensive in the UK due to limited supply, rising global demand, and import-related costs. As only one tail is produced per cow, the yield is minimal. Add in labor-intensive processing and transportation from international suppliers, and prices naturally trend high, especially in ethnic and gourmet markets.
2. How much is oxtail per kg?
Wholesale prices typically range from £7 to £12 per kg, while retail prices often land between £14 and £20 per kg. Premium cuts or vacuum-packed options may exceed this, especially in specialty butchers or supermarkets during seasonal peaks.
3. What is a good price for oxtails per pound?
A fair wholesale price is around £3.50 to £5.50 per pound, depending on trim level and packaging. Retail prices range from £6.50 to £9 per pound, although gourmet markets may charge more for specialty or imported oxtail.
4. How much is 15 pounds of oxtail?
At a wholesale rate of £4 per pound, 15 pounds of oxtail would cost around £60. At retail pricing closer to £7–£8 per pound, the cost would rise to £105–£120, depending on the store and packaging.