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MLA’s latest goatmeat global snapshot
19 March 2020
Key points:
- The value of Australian goatmeat exports totalled A$235.7 million in 2019, up 29% on the year prior, supported by increased prices.
- Australia remains the largest exporter of goatmeat, despite accounting for only ~1% of global production.
- A lack of familiarity, price competitiveness and volatile supply remain the key challenges for the industry.
The persistent dry conditions that continued into 2019 saw Australian goat production ease for the second year in a row, totalling 22,400 tonnes carcase weight (cwt). However, this was somewhat offset by an increase in average carcase weights, which lifted by 8% year-on-year, to 15.3kg/head in 2019.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation data, Australia is not a large producer of goatmeat globally but is the biggest player in the global goatmeat trade. Australia exported approximately 95% of production in 2019, with exports totalling 21,200 tonnes shipped weight. The US received 70% of Australian exports in 2019, with Taiwan, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, and Canada also representing important markets.
Live goat exports accounted for only 3% of total export value in 2019, totalling A$7 million. Australian goat prices hit record levels in 2019, peaking at 940¢/kg cwt in late June and averaging 790¢/kg for 2019. These high prices continued to impact live exports to the price-sensitive Malaysian market (Australia’s largest destination for live goats). Strong domestic goat prices have seen a marked decrease in total live goat exports in the past few years, with exports down to 16,000 head in 2019 – a decrease of 82% from 2015 levels (87,700 head).
Goatmeat is widely consumed globally but remains a niche protein in many markets. Per capita consumption of goatmeat varies greatly between countries, with culture and local production being major factors influencing diet. Population growth and increasing household wealth underpin a positive outlook for global red meat consumption, though unfamiliarity and availability of goatmeat remain major barriers to new consumers.
More information
© Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, 2020
