MLA: Goat Industry Undergoing Transformational Change
10 June 2021
Key points:
The goat industry is moving from being largely opportunistic harvesting to semi-managed and managed production systems
Goatmeat supply will improve in the near future once herd numbers have rebuilt
97% of Australian goatmeat is exported, with 55% going to the US
The Australian goat industry is going through a period of rebuilding and transformational change as it moves from opportunistic harvesting operations to semi-managed/managed enterprises. Recent ABS data was made available for MLA, highlighting goat slaughter and production trends for the March quarter. The data showed a declining level of goatmeat production since 2016. The data has goat production at 4,632 tonnes cwt for the quarter, a 5% lift on Q1 2020, but 37% below the 10-year quarter average.
NSW and WA have experienced declines in recent years, with 96 and 2 tonnes produced by each state respectively, although Victoria has experienced a modest uplift. The decline in goat production levels comes off the back of high goat prices and drought induced destocking. Goat producers are allowing their herd numbers to rebuild, which will make the industry stronger for the future.