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

The global production of Goat Meat plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 2,500,000 tonnes, which accounts for 33.50% of the total global production. India ranks second, producing 1,588,940 tonnes, representing 21.29% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Pakistan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, with production levels of 546,000, 272,300, and 241,433 tonnes, respectively. Antigua and Barbuda has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Goat Meat reached approximately 7,463,587 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Goat meat Production in 2023

Countries Ranked by Goat Meat Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	China	2,500,000
2	India	1,588,940
3	Pakistan	546,000
4	Nigeria	272,300
5	Bangladesh	241,433
6	Chad	156,579
7	Ethiopia	148,994
8	Turkiye	128,989
9	Sudan	112,476
10	Mongolia	101,120
11	Yemen	95,424
12	Tanzania	79,640
13	Kenya	77,521
14	Nepal	77,162
15	Indonesia	61,315
16	United Arab Emirates	59,858
17	Malawi	59,588
18	Afghanistan	47,373
19	Mexico	41,034
20	Somalia	39,445
21	Brazil	39,201
22	Algeria	38,898
23	Australia	37,772
24	Saudi Arabia	37,523
25	Ghana	36,105
26	Iran	34,389
27	Zimbabwe	34,353
28	Uganda	31,898
29	Philippines	29,639
30	Morocco	29,150
31	Niger	27,220
32	Cameroon	27,208
33	Burkina Faso	27,005
34	South Sudan	24,134
35	Vietnam	23,944
36	Central African Republic	22,061
37	Mauritania	19,499
38	Greece	18,950
39	Angola	18,904
40	Senegal	18,562
41	Democratic Republic of the Congo	18,277
42	Russia	17,910
43	Oman	17,290
44	Zambia	17,143
45	Kazakhstan	16,849
46	Guinea	16,705
47	Egypt	16,176
48	Benin	14,799
49	Turkmenistan	14,090
50	North Korea	14,055
51	South Africa	12,250
52	Syria	11,802
53	Rwanda	11,160
54	Libya	11,159
55	Cote d'Ivoire	10,969
56	Tunisia	10,960
57	Mali	10,119
58	Myanmar	10,000
59	Spain	9,540
60	United States	9,385
61	Kyrgyzstan	8,838
62	Iraq	8,428
63	Bolivia	8,015
64	Albania	7,542
65	Cuba	6,816
66	Eritrea	6,382
67	France	5,870
68	Argentina	5,824
69	Chile	5,490
70	Ukraine	5,400
71	Venezuela	5,266
72	Palestine	5,244
73	Haiti	5,076
74	Jordan	4,994
75	Togo	4,979
76	Peru	4,941
77	Romania	4,480
78	Madagascar	4,458
79	Botswana	4,010
80	Namibia	3,722
81	Burundi	3,612
82	Israel	3,483
83	Mozambique	3,343
84	Lao PDR	3,151
85	Eswatini	3,131
86	Lebanon	2,879
87	Serbia	2,776
88	Sri Lanka	2,750
89	Malaysia	2,659
90	Netherlands	2,610
91	Djibouti	2,287
92	Italy	2,160
93	Cyprus	2,120
94	Sierra Leone	1,966
95	South Korea	1,936
96	Thailand	1,911
97	Kuwait	1,425
98	Taiwan	1,317
99	Bulgaria	1,110
100	Portugal	1,100
101	The Gambia	1,084
102	Republic of the Congo	1,055
103	Liberia	1,038
104	Qatar	1,020
105	New Zealand	949
106	Guinea-Bissau	900
107	Dominican Republic	883
108	Paraguay	869
109	Austria	790
110	Cabo Verde	669
111	Switzerland	532
112	Belgium	520
113	Croatia	500
114	Jamaica	482
115	Timor-Leste	456
116	Germany	440
117	Comoros	375
118	Gabon	347
119	Norway	344
120	Colombia	344
121	Ecuador	342
122	Slovenia	340
123	Guyana	272
124	Costa Rica	260
125	Slovakia	240
126	Bahrain	239
127	Bhutan	231
128	Lesotho	220
129	Czech Republic	210
130	Guatemala	182
131	Fiji	156
132	Honduras	152
133	Grenada	146
134	Montenegro	99
135	Hong Kong	79
136	El Salvador	76
137	The Bahamas	74
138	Hungary	70
139	French Polynesia	69
140	Trinidad and Tobago	65
141	St. Lucia	64
142	Latvia	60
143	Poland	60
144	Equatorial Guinea	50
145	Lithuania	50
146	Dominica	41
147	Nicaragua	37
148	Japan	32
149	Barbados	30
150	Tonga	29
151	Macao	27
152	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	27
153	Armenia	26
154	Seychelles	22
155	Malta	20
156	Mauritius	19
157	Brunei Darussalam	16
158	Micronesia	13
159	Sao Tome and Principe	12
160	St. Kitts and Nevis	11
161	Luxembourg	10
162	Sweden	10
163	Estonia	10
164	Vanuatu	10
165	Papua New Guinea	9
166	Singapore	9
167	Suriname	7
168	Cook Islands	5
169	Puerto Rico	4
170	Belize	1
171	New Caledonia	1
172	Antigua and Barbuda	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.