![Sam Nicoletti, Sydney. Sam Nicoletti, Sydney.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2093168.jpg/r0_0_1500_1000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
STRONG demand from local and international markets is driving the goat market, which agents say should last into the new year.
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This week over-the-hooks rates rose another one cent a kilogram bringing the top end of the market for goats less than 16kg (carcase weight) up to 360c/kg according to National Livestock Reporting Service figures.
Goats weighing 16kg to 20kg topped at 380c/kg and averaged 339c/kg driven largely by strong export demand.
P.T. Lord, Dakin and Associates agent Joe Portelli, Dubbo, said demand for live exports, particularly from Asian market, has driven prices up across the board.
“Exports have picked up again,” Mr Portelli said.
“We have seen big demand from some new markets in Asia, which has tightened supply to local processors.”
Mr Portelli said export regulations introduced about a year ago added more red tape for exporters, “but the industry has begun to get its act together and everything is falling onto place”.
He expected export demand would stay strong for “at least” the rest of the year.
Dubbo saleyards will host its next goat sale on Tuesday.
“Processors continue to show keen interest in future sales at Dubbo,” Mr Portelli said.
Jim Hindmarsh and Company agent Steve Nutt, Camden, said prices had risen $10 to $40 a head in the past six weeks.
“Farmers are buying to restock now there has been a break in the season and that is putting pressure onto prices,” he said.
Boer-cross yearlings are selling for between $30 $80 a head, Mr Nutt said.
“Big feral billies can fetch between $40 to $90 and large boer wethers have ranged between $50 to $130, depending on size and type,” he said.
He said yardings at Camden have been consistent.
“We yard anywhere from 100 to 200 goats every week.”
Mr Nutt said local lifestyle farmers and wholesalers comprise the majority of his customers.
David G. Smith Auctions principal, David Smith, Bathurst, said the Middle Eastern export market, (the largest single market for Aussie goats) had strong demand for rangeland goats.
“Middle-Eastern countries use goat meat as stewing meat, similarly to sheep, and generally speaking, aren’t after choice cuts,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith said prices should remain steady into the new year.
“I don’t know if prices will get a lot dearer, but I don’t think it will slip much if at all.”
He predicted the yarding at Carcoar’s next sale in November would reach as high as 1800 head, with goats in good condition following the spring break.
Domestic demand driven by flavour
THE demand from Sydney butchers for goats, especially the prime grain-fed animals, is so strong at the moment wholesaler Sam Nicoletti, Sydney, said he has trouble meeting that demand.
Mr Nicoletti sells to both retailers and individual customers.
He said obtaining consistent supply of quality carcases was a constant battle.
“I am always running out of grain-fed wethers,” he said.
“I could increase my sales by at least 30 per cent just by getting a regular, consistent supply.”
He said more marketing should be done to encourage farmers to stay in the game and generate good supplies, which would help foster the burgeoning demand.
Mr Nicoletti said marketing should be stepped-up to promote both the gamier flavour of rangeland and the qualities of premium grain-fed goats.
“We shouldn’t sell goat meat as the one standard type,” he said.
“There should be a distinction between the two different types.
“One butcher shop in Western Sydney sold 10 whole grain-fed Boer carcases in an hour, but they struggled to sell the rangeland goats they bought from me previously.”