Goat meat

Overview

Production

Country Production

Regional Variety

What is Goat meat ?

Goat meat, also known as chevon or mutton, is a popular meat source worldwide. It is the meat from domestic goats, which are commonly reared for their milk, wool, and meat. Goats are typically smaller than cows and pigs, making their meat a suitable option for smaller households or those who prefer smaller meat portions. The meat from goats is leaner than beef, pork, and lamb, and has a unique flavor that varies depending on the animal's age, diet, and breed.

Goat meat has been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries, with its consumption dating back to ancient times. It is often a preferred meat source in regions where other meats may be scarce or more expensive, such as in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In some cultures, goat meat is considered a delicacy and is served on special occasions or religious festivals. Its popularity has grown in recent years as more people become interested in trying new and exotic foods.

Renowned for its nutritional richness, goat meat is recognized as an excellent reservoir of protein, iron, and other vital nutrients. Distinguishing itself from beef and pork, it boasts lower fat content, rendering it a preferable choice for individuals aiming to curtail their consumption of saturated fats. Nevertheless, owing to its reduced fat content, goat meat can become tough and parched if not prepared correctly. Therefore, it is crucial to marinate and slowly cook it at a low temperature to ensure tenderness and succulence.

Although goat meat is not as commonly eaten as other types of meat, its distinct flavor and nutritional advantages make it worth experimenting with. Whether you're seeking to broaden your culinary horizons or opt for a healthier meat alternative, goat meat presents a versatile and delectable option.

Goat meat Production in the World

China is the top country producing Goat meat in the world. As of 2022, China produced 2,487,701 tonnes of Goat meat, accounting for 39.07% of the total production. India is the world's second-largest Goat meat producer, with 550,615 tonnes, which represents 8.65% of the total production. Pakistan(532,000) is the 3rd country, Nigeria(277,847) is the 4th country, and Bangladesh(221,211) is the 5th country in the world producing Goat meat. New Caledonia has the lowest production of Goat meat in the world with only 1 tonne in 2022. The world's total production of goat meat was estimated at 6,367,520 tonnes in 2022.

Source: FAOSTAT

Top 10 Countries by Goat meat Production in 2022

Top Countries by Production of Goat meat in 2022

Rank	Country	Production(Tonnes)
1	China	2,487,701
2	India	550,615
3	Pakistan	532,000
4	Nigeria	277,847
5	Bangladesh	221,211
6	Chad	148,279
7	Ethiopia	137,675
8	Mongolia	121,089
9	Sudan	117,899
10	Turkiye	115,938
11	Yemen	90,628
12	Tanzania	75,400
13	Nepal	74,241
14	Kenya	74,000
15	Malawi	70,042
16	Indonesia	63,658
17	United Arab Emirates	57,294
18	Afghanistan	47,562
19	Mexico	40,826
20	Brazil	39,891
21	Iran	38,839
22	Somalia	38,246
23	Saudi Arabia	34,231
24	Greece	34,160
25	Ghana	33,805
26	Uganda	31,761
27	Philippines	30,969
28	Morocco	30,250
29	Niger	29,199
30	South Sudan	28,630
31	Australia	28,463
32	Zimbabwe	28,391
33	Burkina Faso	26,892
34	Cameroon	26,667
35	Senegal	26,122
36	Central African Republic	23,687
37	Vietnam	21,729
38	Angola	20,064
39	Mauritania	19,899
40	Kazakhstan	19,692
41	Algeria	19,244
42	Russia	18,148
43	Democratic Republic of the Congo	18,122
44	Oman	17,626
45	Guinea	17,377
46	Zambia	16,379
47	Egypt	14,489
48	North Korea	14,311
49	Turkmenistan	14,230
50	South Africa	12,060
51	Mali	11,523
52	Rwanda	11,392
53	Tunisia	11,210
54	Spain	11,070
55	Libya	11,028
56	Syria	11,012
57	Myanmar	10,000
58	Benin	9,663
59	Burundi	9,396
60	Iraq	9,164
61	United States	8,953
62	Kyrgyzstan	8,542
63	Cote d'Ivoire	8,162
64	Albania	7,771
65	Bolivia	7,733
66	Eritrea	6,332
67	France	6,270
68	Cuba	6,223
69	Argentina	6,004
70	Jordan	6,000
71	Venezuela	5,856
72	Togo	5,532
73	Chile	5,507
74	Palestine	5,332
75	Haiti	5,065
76	Peru	4,929
77	Ukraine	4,500
78	Israel	4,410
79	Botswana	3,978
80	Romania	3,740
81	Namibia	3,510
82	Madagascar	3,320
83	Mozambique	3,166
84	Lao PDR	3,002
85	Serbia	2,932
86	Lebanon	2,931
87	Sri Lanka	2,680
88	Netherlands	2,660
89	Cyprus	2,660
90	Djibouti	2,294
91	Italy	2,200
92	Malaysia	2,080
93	Thailand	1,863
94	New Zealand	1,629
95	Sierra Leone	1,600
96	Eswatini	1,576
97	Kuwait	1,455
98	Taiwan	1,438
99	South Korea	1,427
100	Bulgaria	1,370
101	Portugal	1,310
102	The Gambia	1,062
103	Republic of the Congo	1,053
104	Liberia	1,050
105	Guinea-Bissau	949
106	Dominican Republic	894
107	Qatar	851
108	Paraguay	826
109	Austria	640
110	Cabo Verde	637
111	Timor-Leste	582
112	Switzerland	556
113	Croatia	500
114	Jamaica	488
115	Germany	450
116	Colombia	428
117	Belgium	400
118	Comoros	376
119	Gabon	359
120	Norway	339
121	Slovenia	330
122	Ecuador	284
123	Guyana	273
124	Slovakia	270
125	Costa Rica	267
126	Lesotho	262
127	Bahrain	239
128	Czech Republic	230
129	Fiji	211
130	Guatemala	192
131	Bhutan	174
132	Honduras	154
133	Hungary	100
134	Montenegro	98
135	Hong Kong	84
136	El Salvador	80
137	The Bahamas	74
138	St. Lucia	72
139	French Polynesia	71
140	Poland	70
141	Equatorial Guinea	50
142	Latvia	50
143	Dominica	41
144	Lithuania	40
145	Trinidad and Tobago	37
146	Nicaragua	37
147	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	35
148	Barbados	30
149	Japan	30
150	Tonga	29
151	Armenia	28
152	Grenada	28
153	Macao	26
154	Seychelles	22
155	Finland	20
156	Mauritius	20
157	Malta	20
158	Vanuatu	14
159	Micronesia	13
160	Sao Tome and Principe	12
161	Brunei Darussalam	11
162	Estonia	10
163	Sweden	10
164	Singapore	10
165	Luxembourg	10
166	Papua New Guinea	9
167	St. Kitts and Nevis	8
168	Suriname	7
169	Puerto Rico	4
170	Antigua and Barbuda	3
171	Belize	1
172	Cook Islands	1
173	New Caledonia	1

Regional Variety of Goat meat

Several regional varieties of goat meat showcase unique flavors and culinary traditions. Here are a few examples:

Caribbean: In Caribbean cuisine, goat meat is commonly used in dishes such as curries, stews, and rotis. The meat is often marinated with a combination of spices like thyme, allspice, and scotch bonnet peppers, resulting in a vibrant and aromatic flavor profile.
Middle Eastern: Goat meat is a popular choice in Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Iran, and Morocco. It is frequently used in dishes such as grilled kebabs, biryanis, and slow-cooked stews like Moroccan tagine. Spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon are commonly used to season the meat.
Mexican: Goat meat, known as "cabrito" in Mexico, is a significant part of Mexican cuisine. It is often used in dishes such as birria, a spicy stew made with roasted goat meat. Birria is a beloved dish, particularly in regions like Jalisco and the state of Michoacán.
Indian: In Indian cuisine, goat meat, known as "mutton," is widely consumed. It is a key ingredient in dishes like goat curry, Biryani (a flavorful rice dish), and kebabs. Indian spices such as turmeric, cumin, and cardamom are used to season the meat, resulting in rich and aromatic flavors.

These are just a few examples of the regional variety in goat meat preparations. Different cultures and cuisines have their unique ways of incorporating goat meat into their traditional dishes, adding to the diverse culinary landscape.

Health Benefits of Goat meat

Goat meat offers several health benefits when incorporated into a balanced diet:

Nutritional Value: Goat meat is a nutrient-dense food source. It is rich in high-quality protein, essential vitamins (such as vitamin B12, iron, and zinc), and minerals that contribute to overall health and well-being.
Lower in Fat: Compared to beef, pork, and lamb, goat meat is leaner and contains less fat, particularly saturated fat. This characteristic makes it a healthier choice for individuals aiming to reduce their intake of unhealthy fats and manage their weight.
Reduced Cholesterol: Goat meat has lower levels of cholesterol compared to other meats. High cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, so choosing goat meat as a leaner alternative can support heart health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Goat meat contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health, brain function, and inflammation regulation in the body.
Essential Nutrients: Goat meat is a good source of iron, which is vital for healthy red blood cell production and preventing iron-deficiency anemia. It also provides other essential nutrients like zinc, which supports immune function, and vitamin B12, which is essential for nerve function and red blood cell production.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Some studies suggest that goat meat contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds, which may help reduce inflammation in the body and lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.

It is important to note that individual health benefits may vary, and moderation and balance should be maintained while including any food in a diet.

Nutritional Information of Goat meat

Here is the approximate nutritional value of goat meat per 100 grams (3.5 ounces):

Calories: 122 kcal
Protein: 25.6 grams
Fat: 2.6 grams
Saturated fat: 0.79 grams
Cholesterol: 75 milligrams
Sodium: 73 milligrams
Potassium: 346 milligrams
Iron: 3.2 milligrams
Zinc: 2.3 milligrams
Vitamin B12: 1.9 micrograms

Note that these values may vary depending on the cut of meat, cooking method, and other factors. In general, goat meat is a good source of high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, while being relatively low in fat and calories compared to other meats.

Types of Goat meat

There are many different types of goat meat, each with its unique flavor, texture, and culinary uses.

Here are some of the most popular types of goat meat:

Cabrito: Cabrito refers to young goat meat, usually from a goat that is less than three months old. It is prized for its tender, delicate flavor and is often roasted or grilled whole.
Chevon: Chevon is the most common type of goat meat in the United States and refers to meat from a mature goat that is between one and two years old. It is slightly darker and has a stronger flavor than cabrito, and can be used in a variety of recipes such as stews, curries, and kebabs.
Mutton: Mutton typically refers to meat derived from fully grown sheep, although it is occasionally used to describe goat meat as well. Distinguished by its darker color and more robust flavor compared to chevon, mutton finds its way into stews and slow-cooked dishes, imparting a distinct taste to these preparations.
Capretto: In Italian cuisine, the term "capretto" refers to meat obtained from a young goat, typically aged between three and six months. With its mild flavor, capretto is frequently utilized in various Italian dishes, including stews and ragù, adding a distinctive taste to these culinary creations.
Cabrito en Adobo: Cabrito en adobo, a beloved Mexican delicacy, showcases marinated and slowly cooked cabrito meat. This dish is frequently accompanied by tortillas, rice, and beans, adding to its flavorful and satisfying appeal.
Goat curry: Goat curry, a well-liked culinary creation, finds its place in various cuisines such as Caribbean, Indian, and African. This delectable dish entails slow-cooking goat meat in a flavorsome sauce infused with spices, accompanied by vegetables and herbs.

These examples represent only a fraction of the diverse array of goat meat varieties accessible. The selection of a specific type of meat is frequently influenced by culinary traditions and the personal preferences of chefs or cooks.

Uses of Goat meat

Goat meat is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes and cuisines around the world.

Here are some of the most common uses of goat meat:

Stews: Goat meat is often used in stews and curries, where its rich, hearty flavor adds depth to the dish. In Caribbean cuisine, goat meat is a popular ingredient in goat water, a spicy stew made with goat meat, vegetables, and dumplings.
Grilling and roasting: Goat meat is also well-suited for grilling and roasting, as it has a naturally tender texture and can be marinated to add flavor. In Mexico, cabrito (young goat meat) is often roasted whole on a spit over an open flame.
Soups: Within West African cuisine, goat meat frequently takes center stage in an array of soups and stews, exemplified by the renowned Nigerian dish called pepper soup. This flavorful incorporation of goat meat showcases the diversity and culinary creativity of the region.
Tacos and kebabs: In addition to being used in traditional stews and curries, goat meat can also be used in more contemporary dishes, such as tacos and kebabs. In Middle Eastern cuisine, goat meat is a popular ingredient in kebabs, which are typically grilled and served with rice and vegetables.
Burgers and sausages: Goat meat can also be used to make burgers and sausages, providing a healthier alternative to beef or pork. In Australia, goat meat is often used in sausages, which are typically flavored with spices such as cumin and coriander.
Jerky and snack bars: Goat meat can also be processed into jerky and snack bars, which are a convenient and high-protein snack for on-the-go.

Overall, goat meat is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from traditional stews and curries to more contemporary dishes like burgers and kebabs.