Processors on 'booming' goat industry amid high slaughter figures
Australia's goat meat industry is set to beat slaughter records, while processors step in to goats and capitalise on growing global demand.
Australia’s goat producers are supplying newer global markets as processors expand to capitalise on new opportunities in an booming industry.
Goat slaughter figures are on track to reach a new national record and are currently performing 14 per cent higher than last year’s high figures. About 3.2 million goats have been slaughtered so far this year, with Victoria making up 41.5 per cent of the total figure. NSW followed behind on 28.2 per cent, Queensland on 24.2 per cent and South Australia on 5.7 per cent.
Australian Meat Processing Council national extension and adoption manager David Carew said goat meat was able to fill a “void” for processors typically working with sheepmeat.
He said some processors had been able to pursue new markets with varied processing techniques, including a singed market where open flame is used to remove final hair parts from processed stock.
“Australia is pivoting and realising the opportunity opening up in existing markets,” he said.
Mr Carew said Victoria and NSW had been at the centre of goat supply, but Queensland was a “booming” market. He said consumers had also understood its nutritional value which had helped domestic demand.
“It’s growing because of people’s natural curiosity … People are becoming foodies now and want to find the next barbecue conversation,” he said.
MLA market information analyst Emiliano Diaz said more than 90 per cent of Australia’s goat is exported, but the domestic market had surged as well.
“In 2020 we exported about 14,000 tonnes in total, and in 2024 we exported 51,000 tonnes of goat meat,” he said. “The export numbers increased by four times in four years, it was an explosion.”
Western Meat Exporters managing director Campbell McPhee said his company had reached one million goats processed so far this year, and had increased staffing and production to keep up with growing demand. The Queensland-based facility had 120 staff 15 years ago, and now manages about 320 staff.
“The overseas markets are increasing their ability to handle a greater volume,” he said.
“Every year is a different story but we’ve been able to maintain this level for two years now.
“The southern processors and sheep and lamb processors have been using goats to fill their chains.”
He hoped current European trade negotiations would allow for new markets to open up, with better representation in India for market opportunities.
Mr McPhee expected overseas markets would continue growing and processors to expand into 2026.
“It’s onwards and upwards, we’ll keep going forward and as long as we see improvements in supply, we’ll grow where we can,” he said.
