Australian goat exports across 2022 rose by 14.6% from 2021, with 21,831 tonnes swt exported. Historical data reveals 2022 exports sat 11.5% below the 20-year average and 38.9% below the 2014 high of 35,779 tonnes swt. Goatmeat export volumes for the year peaked in September, with 2,569 tonnes swt, while the subsequent months through to December registered a progressive decline in monthly export volumes. For December, Australian goat exports reached a 15-year low with 1,325 tonnes swt – a 35% decline on the same period in 2021.
The overall performance of goatmeat exports across the year was steady, compared to the numerous hurdles faced in the previous two years. Eased movement restrictions enable processing capacity to rise, with the supply of goats ample on the back of the favorable seasons through key producing regions. However, the presence of headwinds in key Australian goatmeat importing countries was clear, with higher red meat supplies and the cost-of-living crunch in the US reportedly impacting demand. While the US remains the key market for Australian goatmeat, exports to the country in 2022 reached 12,505 tonnes swt – 14% up annually.
The four major export markets for goatmeat remained unchanged with the US accounting for 57% of the total volume followed by South Korea (17%), Taiwan (10%) and Canada (6%). Most notably, the proportion of goatmeat exports to South Korea rose by 59% - accounting for 11% of total exports in 2021 to 17% in 2022. The US on the other hand has seen the proportion of exports decline from a high of 70% in 2019 - driven by the Australian drought induced turnoff, to 57% in 2022. This is a further reduction in the proportion of goatmeat exported from 2021 which accounted for 66% of the total volume. December data revealed that goat exports to the US accounted for 45% of the total, while exports to Asian countries were close behind, accounting for 38%.
Figure 1: Australian Monthly Goat Exports 2020 - 2022 (Source: DAFF)