Goat meat production in Australia is on the rise

In the first quarter of 2022, Australia recorded its highest goat meat production in four years.

According to the latest MLA report, the recovery of adult goats in Australia is driving meat production to elevated levels. Over the past few years, the interest of global consumers in goats has been growing due to strong market demand in the US , as well as growing demand in other markets. 

According to official data released for the first quarter of the year, goat meat production reached almost 7,558 tons. This was the highest level of goat meat production since 2018, when production exceeded 8,000 tons. This is a production increase of 67% above the level of the first quarter of 2021 and 30% above the level of production in December 2021. This increase was due to an increase in slaughter volumes rather than carcass weight.

Victoria and Queensland are the leaders in goat meat production, with some producers moving from sheep to goat. South Australia is also following the trend of increased production and slaughter over the past two years.