If you think you are beginning to see more goats in paddocks on the Downs you might be onto something as across the whole nation goat production is breaking new records.

Goats arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and spread with settlers throughout the country.

The original goats were a varied and hardy herd capable of utilising harsh Australian pastures to produce milk and meat.

Some of the first herd escaped into the wild and have evolved into the unique Australian rangeland goat.

These goats have since contributed to the development of the modern Australian Cashmere and Angora breeds which have been invaluable to many farmers as they diversify their income.

Australia has notched up a record year of goat production in 2023 as both domestic sales and exports reach new levels.

Meat & Livestock Australia’s 2024 Global Goat Snapshot has shown that Australian goat meat production is soaring.

This comes following 2023’s record year for production, with goat meat and the number of animals processed more than doubling over three years.

Australia remains the world’s largest goat meat exporter, with 2023 also representing the second-highest volume of goatmeat exported ever.

This is partly due to lower prices for goat meat which supported higher export volumes, although this affected the total export value in 2023, seeing it fall by 10 per cent compared to the record-high year of 2022.

The United States remains the largest market for Australian goat meat, with China second.

While around 95 per cent of Australian goat meat is exported the domestic market also represents a significant market and opportunity, with specific consumer segments driving growth.

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 19 June 2024.