Australia remains the world's largest exporter of goat meat

Goat MEAT production in Australia has been declining for the third year in a row and in 2020 it was 16,357 tons in carcass weight. However, this was somewhat offset by an increase in average carcass weight, which rose by 10% year-on-year to 15.6 kg/head in 2020.

Australia is not a major producer of goat meat, but is the largest player in the global goat meat trade, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Australia exported approximately 95% of its production in 2020, with exports of 14,147 tonnes. The US accounted for 60% of Australian exports in 2020 , with Taiwan, SOUTH KOREA, Trinidad and Tobago and CANADA also representing important markets.

Live goat exports accounted for only 5% of total EXPORT value in 2020, totaling A$5.1 million. After hitting a record high in 2019, goat prices remained historically high in 2020, peaking at 917 cents per kg in early March and averaging 819 cents per kg for the year. At the end of May, prices stabilized and remained below the levels of a year ago until the end of 2020.

Goat meat is widely consumed worldwide but remains a niche protein in many markets. Goat meat consumption per capita varies greatly by country, with culture and local production being the main factors influencing the diet. Population growth and rising household wealth underpin the positive outlook for global red meat consumption, although the unfamiliarity and availability of goat meat remain major barriers to new consumers.