GOAT prices have entered uncharted territory, hitting a record $6.50 a kilogram carcaseweight this week.
The price is more than four times higher than it was six years ago, when goats traded at only $1.60/kgcwt.
Thomas Foods International national small stock livestock manager Paul Leonard said goat prices had been on a steady rise.
“The demand for goat meat has never been higher,” he said.
Mr Leonard said the business had a long history with goats.
“Back when the company was known as T&R Pastoral in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we had a strong involvement with goats but then we exited to concentrate on sheep,” he said.
“We re-entered goat processing six years ago.
“Since that time we’ve consistently been processing between 5000 and 10,000 goats a week.”
TFI processes about 350,000 goats a year at its Lobethal abattoir, and Simon Prior has been the major goat buyer for the company for the past two years.
While the majority of goat meat processed in SA goes overseas, the domestic market is increasing.
“While it’s only a small domestic market at the moment, it is starting to open up,” Mr Leonard said.
“We’re supplying selected cuts of goat meat to some of the major supermarket chains.”
But Mr Leonard said overseas demand was driving the market and prices upwards.
“Goat is one of the most widely eaten meats in the world. It’s a very healthy meat and very low in fat,” he said.
Mr Leonard said one issue with goats was their management in SA.
“In SA, goats are still considered a feral pest,” he said.
“In other states like Qld and NSW, they are able to be grazed. In SA they need to be either captured and sent to a processor or destroyed.
“We’re working with the government to try and get a system similar to NSW or Qld so graziers can farm the animals and from a processing perspective, we can have a more consistent supply.”
Livestock SA president Geoff Power says goat prices are offering a fantastic opportunity for pastoralists.
“With goats making $6.50 a kilogram carcaseweight, it’s a great opportunity for guys in the pastoral areas to harvest goats,” he said. “It’s a great way of value-adding to an existing business.”
