Goat industry beats all metrics: New 2026 Goatmeat Snapshot

27 May 2026

Key points

Australian goat slaughter reached 4.05 million head in 2025, up 18% year-on-year.
Goatmeat production and exports both reached record levels, with exports hitting 61,766 tonnes shipped weight and A$464 million in value.
The United States (US) remained Australia’s largest goatmeat export market.

Australia’s goatmeat sector continued to build momentum and break records in 2025, with record production, slaughter and export volumes supporting stronger availability across domestic and international markets. These trends are outlined in Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA’s) new Global Goat Snapshot, which provides producers, processors, exporters and supply chain stakeholders with an industry-focused report of Australian goatmeat.

Production and slaughter

Australian goat slaughter increased 18% year-on-year (YoY) in 2025 to reach 4.05 million head – the highest number on record. Victoria recorded the largest processing volume at 1.74 million head, followed by Queensland at 1.06 million head and NSW at 1.05 million head. While SA and WA remained smaller processing states, both recorded strong YoY growth, increasing 119% and 112% respectively.

The lift in slaughter supported another record year for production. Australian goatmeat production reached 63,672 tonnes carcase weight in 2025, exceeding the previous record set in 2024. Since 2020, production has increased fourfold, supported by continued favourable seasonal conditions, stronger goat supply, increased processing space and improved trade returns.

Exports continue to drive the market

Exports remained the key driver for the sector in 2025. Australia exported a record 61,766 tonnes shipped weight (swt) of goatmeat, up 20% on the previous record set in 2024. Export value also reached a new high of A$464 million, 28% above the previous year’s record. Globally, Australia remains a minor producer of goatmeat but the largest exporter, accounting for 61% of global goatmeat export volume in 2024, according to FAO.

Australian goatmeat exports 2026 statistics chart

The US continued to be Australia’s largest single goatmeat export market, taking 29,649 swt in 2025 (48% of total exports). While the US remains the dominant destination, exports are becoming more diversified due to the strong growth of alternative markets. Korea was Australia’s second-largest market, with exports increasing 23% YoY to 10,638 tonnes. Mainland China remained the third-largest market at 5,449 tonnes, while Canada became the fourth-largest market, reaching 4,973 tonnes after an 89% increase in 2024.

Domestic market shows gradual development

While exports account for most Australian goatmeat production, the domestic market is also developing. Goatmeat remains a smaller part of Australian household cooking and has lower awareness and availability than other proteins. However, increased production over the past five years has improved domestic availability, with more than 10,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent (cwe) remaining in Australia. More consistent presence of goatmeat in retail and foodservice is gradually supporting domestic market development.

The domestic opportunity is closely linked to Australia’s growing multicultural population and communities where goatmeat is already part of established food traditions. Goatmeat remains strongly associated with slow, wet cooking methods, cultural cuisines and consumer interest in health, sustainability and differentiated protein options.

More detail on production, slaughter, exports, key markets, domestic utilisation and consumer trends is available in MLA’s new Global Goat Snapshot.

Attribute content to: Emiliano Diaz, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst.       

Information is correct at time of publication on 27 May 2026.

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