Recent data from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has shed light on the burgeoning global demand for Australian goat meat, highlighting South Korea’s significant role in this upward trend.
US Market: A Steadfast Consumer
The United States remains the stalwart consumer of Australian goat meat. In the January to October 2023 timeframe, Australia’s exports to the US amounted to just over 11,329 tonnes in shipped weight (swt), an increment from the 10,984 tonnes swt in the same period of 2022. This figure marks the most substantial export volume to the US during this period since 2019, which recorded 12,574 tonnes swt.
South Korea’s Ascending Demand
South Korea’s burgeoning interest in Australian goat meat is a highlight of the report. The export figures for January to October 2023 illustrate this surge, with over 5,337 tonnes shipped to South Korea, a notable rise from the 3,413 tonnes swt in the equivalent period of 2022.
Stability Across Other Key Markets
The trade with Taiwan and Canada exhibits a consistent trend. During the first ten months of 2023, Australia exported 1,664 tonnes swt to Taiwan and 954 tonnes swt to Canada, mirroring closely the figures from the same period in 2022.
Revival and New Opportunities in Traditional and Emerging Markets
The recent price correction in the goat meat market has reinvigorated demand in traditional markets, particularly Trinidad and Tobago. Australia’s exports to Trinidad and Tobago surged to 1,522 tonnes swt from January to October 2023, up from 952 tonnes swt in the same period of 2022, marking the highest volume for this interval in four years.
Additionally, this price adjustment has catalysed a significant uptick in demand from China. The export volume to China leapt from nearly zero to 5,500 tonnes during the same period in 2023, propelling China to become the second-largest market for Australian goat meat this year.
