Australia: Goat meat production declines

The latest data was provided by the MLA showing goat slaughter and production trends in the March quarter. The data point to a decline in goat MEAT production levels since 2016, with goat meat production for the quarter at 4,632 tons, up 5% from the first quarter of 2020 but 37% below the 10-year average.

New South Wales and Western Australia experienced the biggest declines in recent years, with only 96 and 2 tons produced by each state respectively, with Victoria experiencing moderate growth. Factors that can be attributed to the decline in production include volatile grazing goat supply, seasonal conditions, and disruptions to trade due to covid-19 . The drop in production also indicates that producers are busy restoring the goat population.

Goat meat remains a niche part of the diet for many consumers, mainly among key ethnic groups. Australia produces only 1% of the world's goat meat. The decline in production is also reflected in exports, with the US now accounting for 55% of total exports, with the rest going to Asia and the Caribbean.

Goat meat production traditionally increases in the March quarter as conditions tend to be drier. Goat slaughter also declined quarter-on-quarter in March, down 36% to 107 tons. This may reflect potential restocking activity as producers see benefits in keeping young goats for rearing and breeding as seasonal conditions improve in key regions such as northern New South Wales, southern Queensland and Washington.

The above improvements may help increase the number of goats produced in the medium term as young goats become available for slaughter and local conditions improve along with EXPORT trade. The introduction of vaccination is likely to increase global demand for catering services, and historically high prices should also encourage more goats to enter the market.