Situation, changes and future of goat industry around the world

Goats are considered to be very important for their contribution to the development of rural zones and people. In a fast changing world, this statement has to be confirmed by considering how the organisation of the goat industry can support sustainable development. The situation of each goat production (milk, meat, fibre and skin) was analysed and compared. Each economic factor and its role in the processes of production, transformation, and marketing were analysed by taking into account the present situation and prospects of markets. From this approach, the organisation of a goat milk sector appears to be very dependent on the existing competitive situation with the cow milk sector, since goat milk is generally still not widely sold but consumed locally. The sensory specificity of goat milk for cheese making has very different impacts depending on the taste of consumers in different countries. The dietary properties of goat milk are still discussed, and seem to have a positive effect on increasing the global demand. The fibre sectors are clearly global markets world-wide and a few buyers control a speculative and cyclic market, where many sellers are often disorganised small-scale farmers. Most of goat meat is consumed directly by the producer or locally, and only about 0.5% of the goat meat is officially traded internationally. World trade has risen quickly over the past decade with fast growing prices. The Mediterranean area is the main goat milk and goat cheese producer (18%) outside of India (22%), which has the greatest goat milk volume of all countries, but keeps mainly only dual purpose goats (meat and milk). Australia is the most important (60%) world goat meat exporting country, South Africa the major (50%) Mohair producer, and China the principal (65%) cashmere exporter. As the goat industry becomes step by step a truly significant economical sector, its real advantages cannot be over-estimated. The local initiatives to promote quality labels and innovative products for cheeses, meat and fibres could help goats in keeping a role for sustainable development in an eco-friendly environment all over the world. However, the future of the goat industry as a significant economic activity will also be very dependent on the standards of living in the countries where there is a market for the goat products. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.