Goat slaughter and exports decline in April

During April, eastern states average weekly goat slaughter decreased 3% year-on-year, to 33,694 head (MLA’s NLRS). The slight downturn in slaughter is fairly typical for this time of year, as colder conditions set in. The tighter supplies supported the export over-the-hook indicator during the month, at 526¢/kg cwt, up 29% year-on-year.

Slaughter in NSW during April was 3% lower year-on-year, to average 5,271 head per week, while levels inQueensland were steady, at 13,221 head. Victorian weekly goat slaughter eased 18%, to average 9,304 head, whileSA was the only state to record an increase in the average weekly kill for the month, up 19% year-on-year, to 5,899 head.

Australian goatmeat exports in April eased 12% year-on-year, to 2,575 tonnes swt (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources). Although not enough to offset declines to other destinations, shipments to the US lifted 10%, to 1,786 tonnes swt and accounted for nearly 70% of total exports for the month.

Shipments to Taiwan fell 12% on year-ago levels, to 341 tonnes swt, while volumes to Korea were 57% lower on 153 tonnes swt. Exports to the Caribbean were down 64% on the same time last year, at 99 tonnes swt, while shipments to Canada decreased by nearly 50%, to 74 tonnes swt.