Goat prices remain at record levels, while slaughter slows

Eastern states average weekly goat slaughter during May slipped 19% year-on-year, to 17,816 head, with some wet conditions during late autumn affecting transportation of goats. Tighter supplies have also helped prices remain at record highs, with export over-the-hook indicators up 129¢ on last year, at 545¢/kg cwt.

NSW average weekly slaughter lifted 24%, to 3,094 head, while SA kill levels lifted 5%, to 4,065 head. Queensland slaughter averaged 6,105 head, down 37%, while Victoria slaughter slipped 24%, to 4,552 head.

Australian goatmeat exports during May lifted 10% year-on-year, to 1,934 tonnes swt, but have begun their annual lower trajectory into the winter months. Year-to-date volumes are tracking relatively closely with the same period last year, at 13,243 tonnes swt.

• Exports to the US in May accounted for 68% of total volumes, with the US the sole market to record an increase, up 33%, to 1,310 tonnes swt.
• Exports to Taiwan remained relatively stable year-on-year, at 218 tonnes swt.
• Volumes to the Caribbean eased 37%, to 112 tonnes swt.
• Shipments to Korea slipped 30%, to 101 tonnes swt.