NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Goatmeat

NSW GVP was up 59% to $49 million, with significant growth in goatmeat production. National goatmeat production rose 24% to 57,616 tonnes, with ABS data estimating goat slaughter at 3.6 million head. Average carcase weights also lifted slightly. Abattoir upgrades and softer mutton slaughter, freeing up space for additional goat processing, have allowed production to grow this year. High rangeland goat populations are expected to help production to stay at elevated levels in 2025-26.

Production

Goat production by state

  • NSW
  • QLD
  • VIC
Download data (.XLSX)
2024-25 was another record year for goatmeat production in Australia. Following the reopening of the abattoir in Bourke, goat production in NSW has surged higher over the past two years. NSW production increased to 15,076 tonnes, a 34% increase over 2023-24. By comparison, NSW goatmeat production was 1,488 tonnes in 2022-23. NSW was the third highest state by production, just behind Queensland, which produced 16,490 tonnes. NSW had the highest growth in production of the major states, and remains the major source of goats for processors and depots.

Australian goat offtake exceeded 3.6 million head in 2024-25, a 20% increase over the past year. A fourth year of generally good seasonal conditions has kept rangeland goat populations high, and an increase in prices had encouraged producers to keep up supply.

Goat carcase weights have increased to 15.8kg per head, up 3% over the previous year. Western Australia and Queensland had the highest average carcase weights, both over 16kg, with every state increasing average weights.

The Bourke abattoir has commenced upgrades to increase its capacity 50% to 6,000 head per day, including expanded cold storage facilities. This is expected to allow further growth in NSW production 73 .

Price

Over-the-hooks goat prices had fallen significantly off their highs in 2022. The Eastern States average rose to 295¢/kg cwt for 12.1-16kg goats, a 34% increase over the year from 220¢/kg in 2023-24.

However, prices remain low compared to the prices achieved between 2022 and mid-2022. After peaking at 920¢/kg, average prices slid 87% to its lowest point of 120¢/kg in May 2024. While lamb and cattle prices also fell during this time, goatmeat was the hardest hit along with mutton prices. Prices have partially recovered since then, with steady gains through the year, rising to a 2025 peak of 325¢/kg in April.

Notably, the recent low over the hooks prices helped to reignite interest in goatmeat from buyers that were priced out of the market in recent years. Australia recorded strong growth in diverse markets like China, Canada, Japan, Jamaica, and Jordan. The average export price was 691¢/kg in 2024-25, down 3% on a year ago. 155

Goat OTH Prices and Export Prices

  • OTH Price (16-20kg)
  • Export Price
Download data (.XLSX)

Trade

Goats in a yard at Condobolin Agricultural Research and Advisory Station. Image courtesy of N. Leighton.
Australian goat exports rose to $387 million in 2024-25, a 26% increase over the previous year. NSW exports were down slightly to $64 million. The United States remains the largest export market, with Australian exports up 16% to $169 million. NSW goatmeat exports to that market were $55 million. Goatmeat exports rose with higher volumes available, although prices down slightly on the prior year.

In terms of volumes, NSW goatmeat exports rose 25% to 13,752 tonnes in 2024-25. NSW accounted for 25% of Australian goatmeat exports of 53,000 tonnes.

NSW live goat exports increased 46% to 10,198 head in 2024-25, where NSW accounted for just over half of the national total. By value, NSW live goat exports rose to $2.3 million. Malaysia was the major market for live goat exports.

Australia is the major world supplier of goatmeat, but is primary oriented toward North America, Asia and the Caribbean. Europe has a small trade in goatmeat, but it is primarily intra-European trade. For example, Portugal goatmeat imports were $17.6 million in 2024, with Greece, France and Spain the major suppliers.

Outlook

Goat prices have continued their recovery from the May 2024 low, rising to 461¢/kg in September 2025 in line with the surge in lamb and mutton prices. Goatmeat production is expected to continue at high levels in 2025-26 with higher processor demand (and capacity) amid the lower supply of mutton from southern Australia.

Protein demand in the US remains strong as the US begins its cattle herd rebuild, which is expected to keep export prices strong in the near term. Also, goatmeat remains relatively cheap compared to substitutes like mutton, leaving scope for this gap to narrow (i.e. for goatmeat prices to lift) as other protein prices remain high.

All up, we expect that this positive production and price outlook will lead to a further lift in goatmeat GVP over 2025-26.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au