Chapter 125 Bad money chases good money (additional update)
Jiang Miao came down from Yandunshan Farm.
Passing by the fish ball factory, I saw Li Xinhua and others.
However, Li Xinhua and others did not notice his arrival.
Jiang Miao did not go there, but walked to the feed factory next door. He planned to take a look at the recent acquisition of Egyptian pond lice.
Half a month ago, Hailufeng Company had issued an announcement that starting from this month, it would lower the purchase price of Egyptian pond lice to 2.5 yuan per kilogram.
This price is actually acceptable to farmers.
Because the yield of the first batch of Egyptian pond lice fed with No. 4 feed generally reached 15,000 to 16,000 kilograms per mu, and the average feed breeding cost per mu was about 18,000.
An acre of Egyptian pond lice can be sold for 38,000 to 39,000 yuan, with a gross profit of about 20,000 yuan.
Nearby Shiomachi Village.
The Lin Tai'an family sold Egyptian pond lice to a feed factory three months ago. Seeing that it was harvest season again, he ran to his third brother Lin Taining and borrowed a fishing net.
Driving a tricycle to the fish pond, my son Lin Yongqiang had already put on one-piece waterproof pants and long water shoes, and went directly to the fish pond.
The mute Lin Tai'an gestured on the shore: "Ahh..."
Only then did Lin Yongqiang notice his father's figure. He hurried to the shore, took the fishing net, and began to lay the net under the pond.
Lin Tai'an laid a tarpaulin on the back bucket of the tricycle, then took a bucket and a pole, picked up a few buckets of water from the fish pond, and poured it into the back bucket covered with a tarpaulin.
At this time, Lin Yongqiang was in the middle of the pond and felt very strenuous. After pulling down the fishing net, he was going to force the Egyptian pond lice in the fish pond to the side of the road. Unexpectedly, the Egyptian pond lice inside struggled very hard. , he could not pull the fishing net, so he had no choice but to wrap it around a quarter of the pond.
"Ahh..." Lin Tai'an gestured with his hands in confusion.
"Dad, there are too many fish. I can't pull them out, so I just fished them out with a net bag." Lin Yongqiang took the long net bag station from his father's hand and fished it down quickly.
An Egyptian pond louse of about ten kilograms was struggling desperately in the net bag.
"Damn! This fish is so big!"
After a while, Lin Yongqiang caught more than 60 fish. He found that the bucket of the tricycle was already full, so he had to give the net bag to his father, and he drove the tricycle to sell fish.
Arrive at the entrance of the feed factory.
Lin Yongqiang saw Jiang Miao and others.
He smiled and greeted: "Good morning, Boss Jiang!"
"Oh, it's Yongqiang! How is your father's health?" Jiang Miao instantly recognized the other person's identity and even knew his family situation clearly.
Lin Yongqiang was flattered by this and quickly replied: "My dad is in good health."
"Are you selling fish?" Jiang Miao took a look at the other party's Egyptian pond lice and found that each one weighed between 10 and 15 kilograms, and the protein content of the fish meat ranged from 24.6 to 25.1%.
Lin Yongqiang was like a chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, Boss Jiang, will the purchase price of Egyptian fish drop further?"
"No, two and a half dollars is almost the limit." Jiang Miao smiled and shook his head.
"That's good." Lin Yongqiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. You must know that their family's one acre of fish pond has invested nearly 18,000 yuan in feed costs in the past three months, including 2.4 million yuan on credit from the feed factory. tons of No. 4 feed, plus various grass pellets and corn pellets.
Jiang Miao walked around and left.
At this moment, Lin Yongqiang saw him counting money in his hand: "Hey, Heiyu, you paid the bill so quickly?"
"Aqiang, you just came? My family started collecting fish yesterday and will finish it this morning." Lin Yongji stuffed the money into his pocket.
"How many pounds did your family collect?"
"15473 kilograms."
"How much did you earn?" Lin Yongqiang asked quickly.
"After deducting feed and other money, I made 19,000."
Lin Yongqiang was relieved now, because Lin Yongji’s pond was about an acre. He smiled and said: “Although the price has been reduced, I made 10,000 yuan more than before.”
Suddenly Lin Yongji approached him and whispered: "I heard that the purchase price of Egyptian fish will continue to drop in the future."
"Don't talk nonsense. I just met Boss Jiang and he said he would not lower the price any more."
"Have you met Boss Jiang?"
"Look, over there." Lin Yongqiang pointed at Jiang Miao's retreating back.
"Damn, that bastard Sangou dared to lie to me."
"He probably wanted to contract your fish pond, so he deliberately spread false news." Lin Yongqiang expressed his guess.
"I'll go back to Sangou to settle the score first."
Lin Yongqiang was reminded: "Don't do anything casually! Things are different now than before."
"Know."
Lin Yongji hurriedly drove his tricycle back to the village.
…
Jiang Miao and Shuya passed by the fish ball factory again and found that Li Xinhua and others were still discussing something.
At this time, Li Xinhua also discovered his presence.
A group of people trotted over quickly.
"Boss, Researcher Lin."
"Hello, Manager Li." Shuya nodded while holding the bag.
"Lao Li, you came here so early to inspect the factory?"
Li Xinhua explained: "It was Mr. Lin from Cathay Pacific who came to me. He reminded us that we need to deal with cheap fish eggs and asked if we could lower the selling price?"
"Oh?" Jiang Miao looked at Qin Hanming, the market research manager who was also present, and asked: "Hanming, how is the current situation of the fish balls and fish balls market?"
Qin Hanming's face was a little solemn: "The current market price of fish balls and fish eggs is polarized. The wholesale price of some cheap fish eggs has reached 10 yuan per kilogram."
Then he took out a market research report from his briefcase and handed it to Jiang Miao.
Jiang Miao flipped through the pages. Above are the wholesale prices of gold fish eggs from major brands currently on the market:
Chaowei brand: 64 yuan per kilogram.
Haiba brand: The unit price starts from 300 bags and reaches 10 yuan per kilogram.
Huihe brand: 35.2 yuan per kilogram.
Xipai: 37.92 yuan per kilogram.
Terminal card: 100 yuan per kilogram.
Lin Ji: 11.8 yuan per kilogram.
Great taste: 23.75 yuan per kilogram.
Easy selection: 32.84 yuan per kilogram.
Pinghai: 17 yuan per kilogram.
The cheapest brand among them is Haiba brand which costs 10 yuan per kilogram.
As for how such a low price is achieved, everyone knows.
For example, use low-quality surimi and add more starch, tapioca flour, and soy protein.
Generally speaking, the wholesale price of domestic low-quality freshwater surimi, such as silver carp surimi, may be around 6 to 10 yuan per kilogram.
Some surimi whose main advantage is low price, such as those with more fillers such as starch, may even have a wholesale price as low as 4 to 6 yuan per kilogram.
From the perspective of origin, the wholesale price of some low-quality freshwater surimi from Beibu Gulf and other places is 14,000-15,000 yuan/ton, which translates to about 14-15 yuan per kilogram.
The wholesale price of basa surimi imported from the Annan region is about 28 to 37 yuan per kilogram. It is used as a low-quality surimi raw material for making fish tofu and other products.
Li Xinhua said with some helplessness: "Our company's special-grade Egyptian pond lice surimi is of relatively high quality. However, in the current market, the situation of bad money chasing good money is very serious. I think we must develop low-priced products. This This is also Mr. Lin’s idea.”
Jiang Miao was not someone who couldn't be persuaded. He immediately made a decision: "That is to use starch and soybean protein as fillers to reduce the fish content in surimi. Lao Li, you arrange the aquatic products research and development office to research high-starch type fish. Mi.”
"Okay."
Since Hailufeng Company has once again lowered the cost of acquiring Egyptian pond lice, the current cost of the company's special-grade Egyptian pond lice has reached about 3 yuan per kilogram; the cost of high-grade surimi with 90% fish meat content has been reduced to 4.8 yuan per kilogram. .
If the fish meat content of surimi is reduced to 45% by adding starch and other filling materials, the cost can be reduced to about 3 yuan per kilogram.
This is the fundamental reason why the price of many brands of gold fish eggs can be as high as 10 yuan per kilogram.
Usually the surimi content of fish eggs is between 70 and 85%. What kind of surimi can be used is very critical.
High-grade surimi with a fish meat content of 80 to 90%.
Low-priced surimi containing 40 to 50% fish meat.
The cost of the two is vastly different.
This is also the reason why the wholesale price of Cathay’s golden fish eggs before was 50 yuan per kilogram. They used surimi with a fish meat content of 90%, and also ensured that the overall fish meat content of the fish eggs was not less than 80%, so the cost was definitely low. Where to go.
Of course, cheap fish eggs won’t taste any better.
These cheap fish balls are generally purchased by snack bars, Malatang, and hot pot restaurants for commercial use.
As for Cathay Pacific's request, Jiang Miao also believes that it can be agreed: "As for Cathay Pacific, we agree that they can produce fish balls with low fish content, but the price requirements are consistent with ours."
"Okay." Li Xinhua nodded.
Anyway, Cathay Pacific has to pay 70% of the gross profit to Hailufeng Company for using the new product of Egyptian pond lice. Jiang Miao will naturally not object, as long as the other party's price is consistent with Hailufeng Company's cheap fish balls.
If we follow the current cost of Egyptian pond lice surimi, the cost of cheap fish balls is really very low, only about 4.5 yuan per kilogram.
If there is a price war and the wholesale price is reduced to 10 yuan per kilogram, there will still be a gross profit of 5.5 yuan. Even if Cathay Pacific wants to give Hailufeng 70% of the gross profit, there will still be a profit of 1.65 yuan per kilogram.
For the agricultural and sideline products type food processing industry, the gross profit margin of 16.5% is actually relatively high.
In many agricultural and sideline product-type food processing industries, gross profit margins have even dropped below 10%.
For Hailufeng Company, the gross profit margin of cheap fish balls can reach 55%, which is similar to carbonated drinks and a certain black duck.
Both Jiang Miao and Li Xinhua knew very well that Hailufeng Company's cheap fish balls would definitely taste better than other brands of cheap fish balls.
The reason is also very simple.
The fishy smell of other brands of cheap fish balls is unavoidable, after all, they use ordinary cheap surimi as raw material.
The cheap surimi used by Hailufeng Company looks cheap, but in fact its quality is similar to that of pangasius surimi imported from the Annan region. It only has a light fishy smell and no obvious earthy smell.
In this case, the two sides competed, and other brands of cheap fish balls were quickly suppressed.
The premise for bad coins to chase good coins is that there is no large-scale dumping of good coins at low prices. If the price of good coins is similar to that of bad coins, the situation will be reversed.
After all, when prices are similar, whether they are individual consumers or commercial organizations, they tend to use better products.
Of course, due to the inertia of many restaurants, they will continue to purchase cheap fish balls from other brands.
After receiving Jiang Miao's approval, the fish ball factory soon started experiments.
To be precise, it is a direct reference to part of the old formula from Cathay Food Factory, which Lin Jili proactively provided to Hailufeng Company for free use.
Due to the formula, although there will be a little difference between Egyptian pond lice surimi and other surimi, it only needs slight adjustment.
The Aquatic Products R&D Office tested 10 versions, and Li Xinhua finally selected the one with the best cost performance as the mass-produced version.
Within ten days, the first batch of cheap fish balls was produced.
In order to distinguish, the company labels cheap fish balls as Grade B fish balls, while the fish balls produced before are labeled as Grade A fish balls.
The fish balls were quickly packaged, and partly for promotion, the sales department gave a 5% rebate to wholesalers in Chaoshan and the Pearl River Delta.
In other words, for every 1kg pack of B-grade gold fish eggs sold, wholesalers can get a 0.5 yuan rebate.
This has led many wholesalers to actively promote the fish eggs, fish balls and fish tofu produced by Hailufeng Company.
…
On the streets of the bustling Erma Road Night Market, there is a popular food stall. The owner, Chen Daxia, is famous for his curry fish balls.
The main reason why Chen Da Xia’s curry fish balls are famous is that he selects better raw materials, but the price is a little more expensive than the curry fish balls at other food stalls.
Early that morning, Chen Daxia arrived at the wholesale market in the city early, preparing to purchase gold fish eggs for making curry fish balls.
"Boss, where are Cathay Pacific's fish balls? I want one with a recent date." Chen Daxia asked the boss who specializes in wholesale of fish balls, hot dogs and other frozen foods.
The boss brought out a large box of Haiba brand fish balls: "Old Chen, the fish balls here are absolutely fresh, they just arrived this morning."
Chen Daxia frowned, looked at it carefully, and said: "My curry fish ball business relies entirely on quality. The fish balls cannot be careless. What you are looking at is not ideal."
The wholesale boss hurriedly explained: "Don't worry, Lao Chen, this is really good product. Or if the price is cheaper for you, you can get 300 pieces for 5 yuan per catty."
Hearing this, Chen Daxia shook his head directly: "The price is second, the quality is not good, no matter how cheap it is, it is useless. I want high-quality fish eggs with firm meat and no fishy smell."
At this time, the boss of another stall nearby heard their conversation and greeted them enthusiastically: "Old Chen, come and have a look. I have newly arrived special-grade fish eggs, which are guaranteed to meet your requirements."
Chen Daxia walked over, picked up a fish egg, smelled it, squeezed it with his hands, and nodded with satisfaction: "Well, that's about the same. What do you say about the price?"
The stall owner smiled: "Lao Chen, you are a regular customer. I will give you a reasonable price of 18 yuan per pound."
Chen Daxia thought for a moment: "Okay, give me 20 pounds first."
The boss gave Chen Daxia a stick, and then carried out a large box of fish balls: "This is also a fish ball produced by Hailufeng Company, but it is Grade B."
Chen Daxia frowned, picked up a fish ball and smelled it, and found that there was no obvious fishy smell, but the smell of fish was a bit weak: "How much is this per pound?"
"5 yuan."
"What? Five yuan? This is much better than the Haiba brand. They sell it so cheaply, aren't you afraid of losing money?"
“Maybe it’s a new product promotion!”
"Give me 10 pounds of this B-level one. I'll go back and give it a try."
"No problem."
When he got home, he quickly made curry sauce, and then defrosted part of the two kinds of fish balls. Two hours later, the curry fish balls, which had been cooked for more than an hour, were completely flavorful.
My son, who was playing with the food cart, had just mixed the batter for the egg burger. When he saw him making two pots of curry fish balls, he asked curiously: "Dad, why did you make two pots of fish balls today?"
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Chen Daxia did not answer, but inserted a grade-A fish ball with a bamboo skewer. After taking a bite, he carefully felt the taste.
His son also came over and inserted a B-level fish ball with a bamboo skewer. After taking a bite, he was a little confused: "Why is it different from usual? Dad, have you changed the brand?"
"Try another pot." Chen Daxia took a sip of water and inserted a B-grade fish ball again. This time, he felt the obvious difference after taking it into his mouth.
It has a more obvious starchy feel, but the fishy smell is very light, and there is no obvious earthy smell. Chen Prawn's tongue is very sensitive to various tastes, which is why he cares more about the quality of fish balls. After all, he wants to eat it himself. You can’t use your tongue too hard!
"Huh? Dad! The fish balls here feel even more delicious, very chewy, with a hint of sweetness and no fishy smell."
"Of course, we have to pay attention to quality when we make delicious food. Only by using better fish eggs can we make more delicious curry fish balls and keep the customers' stomachs."
His son Chen Xiaofeng smiled and nodded: "Yes, I believe the curry fish balls made from this batch of fish balls will be more popular."
Suddenly Chen Daxia said: "Don't you always want to go it alone?"
"Dad, why did you suddenly mention this?" Chen Xiaofeng was a little evasive.
Chen Daxia knew his son's little thoughts, especially after marrying a wife, it became more obvious: "Well, you have also started a family and started a business. My old food cart is used. You can use this fish ball to make curry fish balls." ! ”
"Dad, why did you give me this pot of fish balls?"
"Because it's cheap, you're just starting out, so you want to sell it at a high price? According to the portion I taught you before, you can sell it for eight yuan a piece."
Chen Xiaofeng looked confused: "Eight yuan? How do you make money?"
"This fish ball costs five yuan per catty. Do you think it can make money?" Chen Daxia glanced at his son who was talking.
As soon as he heard the cost, Chen Xiaofeng's doubts suddenly disappeared.
Chen Daxia drove his tricycle out of the stall, and the rich aroma of curry filled the air, attracting passers-by.
"Boss, please order a curry fish ball. It smells so fragrant. Boss's curry fish ball tastes the best." A customer said impatiently.
Chen Daxia smiled and packed up a portion: "Try it, the quality of the fish balls this time is better!"
The customer took a bite of the fish balls, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he gave a thumbs up: "Sure enough, this tastes amazing, boss, you are so attentive!"
Chen Daxia looked at the satisfied customers with a proud smile on his face.
And the other side.
In fact, Chen Xiaofeng had already chosen a location and arrived at the entrance of a small alley in Ximen Market in the afternoon.
Although his curry fish balls taste quite average, they are still cheap. A portion of curry fish balls costs 8 yuan, which is more than others, which cost 12 yuan.
The egg burger that Chen Daxia taught him also attracted many passers-by.
The father and son sold out each of their 10 kilograms of curry fish eggs today.
As time goes by, more and more food stalls, hot pot restaurants, and spicy hotpot restaurants know about the cheap fish balls launched by Hailufeng Company, and the supply of this product soon exceeds the demand.
(End of chapter)