P.PSH.1461 - Developing a sustainable high-value market driven goat supply chain
Goats have recently been recognised by Australian primary producers as an important income diversification strategy, due to browsing habits and an ability to quickly expand herd numbers post drought.
| Project start date: | 01 May 2023 |
| Project end date: | 28 February 2023 |
| Publication date: | 25 October 2023 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Goat |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Download Report
(2.2 MB)
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Summary
The project was undertaken to understand the international and domestic demand for goat meat products and the technical trade barriers for new and existing products and markets. Stakeholders in goat meat supply chains were interested to understand market opportunities and the required supply chain interventions to develop value-added goat meat products. The interventions required were identified at different points in the supply chain, across the chain. The findings from this report provide insights to guide research and development investment priorities and industry development activities by private sector, industry and governmental organisations.
Objectives
Findings and recommendations for whole-of-chain, market-orientated industry development were explored. In alignment with domestic and international market opportunities, technical trade barriers and new product development opportunities were identified, achieving the project objectives.
Key findings
There is potential to develop value-added products and continue to supply to existing markets. An irregular supply-base means processors are unable to sign more lucrative, longer term supply contracts and develop high margin markets. Flow-on effects include boom and bust cycles of an oversupply and low prices with spot market buyers trading off against mutton prices.
Innovative supply solutions combined with new product and market development provides an opportunity to break the commodity boom and bust cycles. Markets exist for cubed products, grilling and roasting cuts, however the following factors have meant processors have maintained the status quo, selling a frozen carcase sliced six ways:
• a lack of goat dedicated processing technology
• high processing costs per kilogram of meat sold
• workplace health and safety issues on bandsaws
• limited market development.
Understanding value attributes in different markets and aligning the supply chain to meet consumers’ needs, combined with innovation in processing is required to develop a sustainable, high-value, market driven supply chain.
Benefits to industry
The project has connected various stakeholders including technology providers, the private and public sector, as well as researchers with interests in genetics, animal husbandry and meat science who are all looking to uplift the Australian goat industry. The research undertaken in this project has created an understanding of what is known and unknown and has identified issues across the supply chain which require additional research and development. There is an opportunity for a $100+ million uplift in the export value of goat meat each year by obtaining the average price for 2022 of $12.28 compared to the current average price for January to June 2023 of $7.38 per kilogram (calculated using ABS data supplied by MLA).
MLA action
Final report to be published on MLA R&D website and shared with interested goat producers and processors.
Future research
There is potential to investigate the introduction of automation into the goat processing sector.
More information
| Project manager: | John Marten |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
