August goat slaughter eases, prices buoyed

Average weekly eastern states goat slaughter during August eased 2% year-on-year, to 31,150 head – bringing the winter average down 5% on the corresponding period last year, to 19,710 head per week.

A drop in Queensland slaughter levels attributed to the lower volumes in August, compared to last year – more than offsetting the higher average weekly slaughter recorded in all other states during the month.

Eastern states export over-the-hook goat indicators (12-16kg cwt) remained fairly stable during August, averaging 575¢/kg cwt, although since the beginning of winter the indicator has jumped 27¢/kg cwt. Compared to August last year, however, the 12-16kg cwt over-the-hook indicator was up 128¢/kg cwt.

Goatmeat exports totalled 2,154 tonnes swt in August, down 10% year-on-year (DA). This brought the winter total to 4,011 tonnes swt – 23% lower than the corresponding period last year. Despite the fall, August exports to nearly all major destinations increased year-on-year. However, there was no Australian goatmeat exported to Hong Kong or China in August this year, which underpinned the overall decline.

• Shipments to the US increased 14% to 1,335 tonnes swt
• Taiwan increased 58% to 277 tonnes swt
•  Exports to the Caribbean were 43% higher at 213 tonnes swt
• Shipments to South Korea were 31% higher on 154 tonnes swt
• Volumes to Canada lifted 30%, to 113 tonnes swt