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Goat prices continue dream run
10 March 2016
The eastern states export over-the-hook goat indicators reached new highs again in February, averaging 515¢/kg cwt, up 125¢ year-on-year.
Interestingly, it was the same time last year that goat prices went from strength-to-strength and surpassed previous monthly records.
International demand is clearly the strong driver underpinning the high price trend for goats. Australian goatmeat exports during February were 30% higher year-on-year, at 3,015 tonnes swt.
- Shipments to the US accounted for 66% of total exports and were up 48% year-on-year, at 1,989 tonnes swt – the highest volume since October 2015.
- Korea continued to perform well, taking 205 tonnes swt, up 37% year-on-year, while volumes to Taiwan eased 21%, to 240 tonnes swt.
Interestingly, and assisting prices somewhat, average weekly goat slaughter during February decreased 3% year-on-year, to 36,752 head. This figure is however 19% higher than the five-year average (30,881 head).
The early stages of March have already been influenced by weather conditions, and goat slaughter reached very high levels this week, at 52,467 head. The state where the greatest rise occurred was Victoria, with the highest number processed since mid-2014, at 20,272 head.
