Meat goat supplies tightened in November.

TIGHTENING Australian goat supplies have helped keep prices in November at record levels.

Meat & Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service said the average weekly eastern states goat slaughter during November was 36 percent below year-ago levels, at 29,773 head.

Most states registered a large reduction in goat kills for the first two weeks of the month.

This has assisted prices staying at record highs, with the November average over-the-hook indicator for 12-16kg cwt goats up 123 cents year-on-year to 481c/kg.

According to Department of Agriculture figures, Australian goat meat exports in November eased 30pc on the previous year to 2726 tonnes, underpinned by lower slaughter.

Goat meat exports in November dropped by 21pc to the United States to 1781 tonnes, by 51pc to China to 62 tonnes and by 76pc to Hong Kong to 75 tonnes.

Shipments to Korea doubled to 40 tonnes, but remained relatively similar year-on-year to Taiwan at 403 tonnes.

Sources: MLA, NLRS.