economy
March 16, 2026
Incredible price for what many throw away from meat: It goes up to 5,000 euros
About 30 grams of this substance can reach a price of up to 5,000 euros. Organized crime also shows interest in the substance that many simply throw away.
TL;DR
- Beef gallstones are worth up to $5,800 per ounce.
- Their value is driven by the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
- They are believed to aid recovery from strokes and other serious illnesses.
- The lucrative trade has attracted organized crime, leading to smuggling and robberies.
- Counterfeiting attempts have been discovered, with substances added to increase weight.
- Sales provide additional income for livestock farmers in Africa.
- The development of gallstones cannot be detected in live cattle without examination.
- More efficient cattle farming methods and shorter lifespans may reduce gallstone occurrence.
- Research shows promising results for compounds in gallstone preparations, particularly for brain protection during ischemic stroke.
- 'Grown' gallstones developed by Chinese researchers show similar properties to natural ones.