Heavier carcases offset decline in goat slaughter

National goat slaughter in January was 4% lower than the same time last year, at 192,190 head, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The decline was underpinned by a 17% drop in Queensland (44,801 head), 31% fewer goats processed in SA (32,198 head) and a 46% decrease in NSW (4,538 head), compared to the corresponding period last year.

The number of goats processed in Victoria, however, was up 15% year-on-year, to 101,959 head, while WA more than tripled, to 8,691 head.

Despite fewer goats processed across the country overall, heavier goat carcases saw a 1% rise in goatmeat production for the month, to 3,132 tonnes cwt.

In January, the 12-16kg goat over-the-hook indicator averaged 614¢/kg cwt, up 104¢ on the same period last year. Since then, direct-to-work goat indicators have continued their upward trajectory – averaging 655¢/kg cwt last week (6 March).