Wet season leads to fall in goat exports

Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) recorded a 68 per cent decrease, year on-year, in average weekly goat slaughter with all states showing a decrease through the winter months.

As a result of the decline in slaughter, goat meat exports in July dropped to the lowest monthly volume since January 2009, 63pc lower year-on-year.

While lower slaughter numbers are normal during the cold months, MLA goat industry project manager Julie Petty said the industry had experienced a "perfect storm".

"We saw higher slaughter numbers in March and April than we had in the past two years," she said.

"People relying on the harvesting-style of operation haven't been able to trap goats of lately because they have had quite a bit of rain since April."

The past two years had offered fantastic seasons for goat numbers to soar, however, seasonal goat trappers had not been able to operate in recent months due to wet conditions.

Due to a lack of supply, export numbers have dropped to a six-year low.

NSW average weekly slaughter slipped by 24pc to 1778 head during July, while Queensland slaughter levels declined by 47pc compared to last year, slipping to 8581 head.

South Australia and Victoria recorded the largest decreases in numbers, recording 78pc and 82pc declines year-on-year, respectively.

SA and Victorian weekly slaughter levels were 3433 and 3398 head, respectively, according to the NLRS report.

"If you look at export records in the past 10 years, the volume has doubled," Ms Petty said.

"It's just a lack of supply at the moment pushing down the export figures."

The tighter supply has assisted goat export over-the-hook indicators to remain at record levels through July, averaging 442 cents a kilogram for 12kg to 16kg carcase weights.

"Prices are the highest we've ever seen and they have been kept high, partially, because of this lack of supply."

High prices offered a great opportunity for seasonal goat harvesters to establish a managed herd.

"They can keep those not reaching saleable weights until they are ready to sell or until it suits the owner to sell."