Wholesale meat sourcing for butchers

The buying problem most butchers know well

A busy shop often buys from a handful of regular suppliers, each with its own price list, order cut-off and way of describing product. Filling a gap in the week, testing a new line or buying ahead of a promotion usually means phone calls, texts and waiting for someone to call back.

That works until a regular supplier is short, a price moves, or you want to know whether a different specification would suit your counter better. Protein Link is built to make those comparisons quicker, not to replace the relationships you already rely on.

What butchers typically source

• Beef primals for breaking down in-store, plus trim for mince and sausages
• Lamb carcase, legs, shoulders and racks for the counter
• Pork bellies, legs and loins, including lines for curing or roasting
• Chicken whole birds, breast and thigh for marinated and value-added ranges
• Smallgoods to round out a deli section

Comparing listings like for like

Every listing on Protein Link uses the same structure: product, specification, storage state (chilled or frozen), pack format and the volume available. That makes it easier to see whether two offers are actually the same product or only look similar on a price sheet.

If you are unsure what a specification means in practice, our guide to wholesale meat specifications explains the details worth checking before you order.

Quantities and ordering

Protein Link is a wholesale marketplace, so product is listed by the carton or pallet rather than by the kilo. Each listing shows how it is packed and what is available, and you send an order request against that listing. The supplier then accepts the request before anything moves.

If your shop buys a few cartons at a time, check the pack format on each listing to make sure it matches the size of order that makes sense for your cool room.

Pricing you can read at a glance

You see one buyer price per listing, ex GST. Protein Link's margin is built into that price, and the supplier's own base price is never shown. Freight is quoted separately for each shipment and confirmed before you pay, and GST is added at checkout.

Freight and cold chain

Delivery is coordinated through Protein Link's refrigerated carrier partner, and each listing's storage state sets how it needs to travel. Which delivery lanes are available to your business is confirmed during onboarding, and paid trading opens alongside refrigerated freight. On arrival, it remains good practice to check product temperature and packaging before you accept it.

Getting access

Submit a buyer access request with your business details. The team checks your ABN and trading profile before any stock or pricing becomes visible. Protein Link is business to business only and is not open to consumers. The buyer onboarding guide explains each step.