P.PSH.1527 - Goat Salami - Proof of Concept

Summary

This project aims to build on the deli meat and small goods trend in Australia as a way to grow demand and positioning of value-added Australian goatmeat. The work that will be conducted in this project is a step towards deriving value from the entire goat carcase. Presently, there is no grading system implemented for this type of product, and abattoirs frequently sell goat offcuts in bulk. Thus, the opportunity here will be to understand what is required to utilise and develop a product that the market is not familiar with but can meet many consumers' needs as a pork-free salami.

Objectives

• investigate the compliance guidelines of similar products and frame key assumptions on supply and value proposition for a new goat salami product and compelling market fit
• discover the regulatory requirements for goat salami and goat smallgoods products to be sold in Australia
• validate the best goat raw input and investigate technical feasibility to determine compliance with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and NSW Food Authority for the safe manufacturing and sale of a goat salami product
• development of branding propositions and assets for new goat salami products and provide high level commentary on any salami processing nuisances goatmeat presented.

Key findings

The target market for goatmeat salami is bifurcated, with little overlap between current goatmeat consumers and current salami consumers, hence the need for a pork-free product to appeal across both groups.  

Goatmeat salami can be safely manufactured, and the process and recipe has been approved by the NSW Food Authority. Farmed goatmeat has sufficient intrinsic fat to produce quality salami and the extra steps required to ensure a safe product are well within economic viability for manufacturers.

Benefits to industry

This research has shown that goatmeat smallgoods production in Australia is a viable prospect. 

Goatmeat smallgoods are a new, value added market opportunity for farmed goatmeat producers and smallgoods manufacturers in Australia. 

This work can benefit the members of MLA and the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) as this new information may be considered for inclusion in subsequent updates of 'Guidelines for the safe manufacture of Smallgoods’ publication (1st and 2nd editions previously developed by MLA, with an updated edition currently being developed by AMIC) to benefit all members.

MLA action

The final report from this project will be shared publicly through the MLA R&D reports page.

Future research

This research demonstrated the viability of safely manufacturing quality goatmeat smallgoods from farmed goatmeat in Australia. The challenge will be in promoting products to a bifurcated target market, with both segments requiring the introduction of a novel product (goatmeat to one group and salami to the other). Success in promoting this new product could be leveraged to access domestic and international markets for goatmeat smallgoods.