Boer meat goats. Image – MLA

AUSTRALIA’S goat meat exports have risen 20 percent in 2021 year-to-date on the back of a lift in the national herd.

Meat & Livestock Australia said high over-the-hooks prices this year are supporting stronger slaughter volumes, operating 3pc higher than year-to-date averages of 2020

Year-to-date slaughter volumes in 2021 are also 30pc stronger than 2020 levels, or 234,000 head, although compared to the five-year average, they are 30pc softer.

“Indeed, the improved slaughter volumes compared with 2020 and the national goat herd’s rebuild from drought has been positively supported by the 2021 over-the-hooks (OTH) price, which is 3pc or 28c/kg cwt stronger than the 2020 average in year-to-date prices.

“In current market terms, the OTH goat price has been steady in recent weeks, sitting at 888c/kg cwt, falling softly from its high of 898c/kg cwt six weeks ago on 3 September,” MLA said.

“For 2021, the price has continued to recover from its first week start of 805c/kg cwt, as exporters continue to offer favourable prices to meet the bulging export interest.”

MLA said with producers increasingly looking to incorporate goats into their operations as a managed enterprise option, Australian goat exports are outperforming 2020 levels on the back of this slaughter volume strength.

“In 2021, overall goat exports are operating 20pc, or 1696 tonnes, better than 2020 year-to-August levels, driven by continued growth in the United States and explosive volume upticks from South Korea, with its exports rising 97pc this year.

“Annually, the US accounts for 67pc of total goat meat export volumes, demonstrating its significance for Australian red meat producers as a marketm” MLA said.

“In 2021, the country’s export volumes have seen a 25pc uptick year-to-date.”

Source – MLA.