5 Reasons Goat Meat Is So Expensive and How It Impacts Your Wallet

Goat meat is expensive due to the space goats need, higher nutritional requirements, and limited production by small-scale farmers, costing more than beef but offering health benefits like low saturated fats and high nutrients.

why is goat meat so expensive

Not everyone eats beef, chicken, turkey, and pork as their primary meat sources, and some people, especially in other countries, consume goat meat as their main meat source.

In fact, in the country of Nigeria, goat, also known as mutton, is a popular meat source and is frequently found in many Nigerian recipes.

Many people love the taste and versatility of goat meat, but they often wonder why goat meat is so expensive.

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Why is Goat Meat So Expensive?

Goat meat is so expensive because of the strategic conditions in which goats must be raised. They’re not like cows, pigs, or chickens, as many of these livestock can be placed in the same space, but goats can’t be.

Goats require an immense amount of space because if there is even the small possibility of goats becoming overcrowded, then they’re more susceptible to becoming infested with parasites. These parasites are then passed to other goats through their feces.

This makes goats unappealing for large scale production, leaving most production for small scale farmers with scarce resources to scale production, distribution & marketing.

In addition to goats requiring a larger space in which to flourish, goats also have higher nutritional needs than other livestock if they’re expected to thrive.

So, since farmers must pay extra for additional space and higher nutrition, then the cost of selling the meat once the animal has been slaughtered into minimum quality cuts must be enough to compensate the farmers for their effort. 

Is Goat Meat More Expensive Than Beef?

On average, goat meat is more expensive than beef, especially if you compare goat meat to the less expensive packs of high-fat ground beef or inexpensive steaks.

However, in order for the comparison to be accurate, premium beef that comes from cows that are fed highly nutritious diets and raised in the best situations must be used. In comparison to this premium beef, then goat meat prices are likely equivalent to beef. 

Why Are Goats the Best Meat?

There are many reasons why many people believe that goat meat is the best meat. Not only is goat meat highly nutritious, but it’s delicious and very lean. Meat from other animals is often very high in saturated fats, but not goat meat.

While goat does contain some fat, there is very little saturated fat, which is conducive to good health. 

Goat meat is also very versatile, as it can be cooked in a number of delectable dishes. Whether you prefer spicy dishes with plenty of goat, goat burritos, or goat stew, this meat can be cooked in a number of ways and your imagination is the only limitation when it comes to creating recipes. 

Why is Goat Meat Referred to as Mutton?

Goat meat tends to have a smoky flavor, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “mutton.” If you look up the definition of “mutton,” you will see that its definition states that it’s the flesh of a lamb.

The appearance of mutton is very similar to goat meat, which is confusing to many people, so this is one reason why goat meat is called mutton.

Furthermore, since goat meat has a smoky taste and is so low in fat, it’s often mistaken for mutton, although goat and mutton are not the same thing.

Is Goat Meat More Expensive Than Lamb?

Yes, goat meat is more expensive than lamb. First of all, although lamb meat is very nutritious, just like goat meat, the nutritional value of goat meat exceeds that of lamb meat, which is why you will pay more for goat meat. 

How Much Does Goat Meat Cost?

The exact price of goat meat will depend on the cut you’re purchasing, as well as the type and quality of the goat the meat was derived from.

In the United States, you can expect to pay anywhere from three -eight dollars a pound.

You will want to ensure that you’re purchasing the meat from a high-quality source, because even if  you must pay eight dollars a pound, you want to be sure you’re getting top notch goat meat that will taste great. 

Does Goat Meat Smell Bad While It’s Cooking?

For people who are used to eating and cooking goat meat, it is likely that it smells scrumptious while cooking. However, for people who have never cooked or tried goat meat before, the strong smell can be rather pungent, depending on how it’s prepared.

It can have a wild taste and smell, and if you want to avoid such a strong smell, then not only should you be wary of where you’re purchasing your meat, but you might want to marinate it before cooking, which should minimize the wild smell (and taste).

Where Can Goat Meat Be Purchased in the United States?

Goat meat isn’t going to be readily available at your local meat department if you live in the United States, but there are ways of obtaining it.

Your best bet for finding goat meat in the United States is to check out the ethnic markets in your area. If you don’t have luck with that, you can try local farmer’s markets.

If you still have no luck, then you can conduct an internet search for your area and should be able to locate some fresh goat meat somewhere. 

Is Goat Meat Expensive in Nigeria and other African Countries?

Goat meat isn’t consumed in the United States as often as it is in Africa, The Middle East, South and Central America, and Asia.

Yes, goat meat is expensive regardless of the country it’s purchased in. The reason for its high cost is discussed above and is the same everywhere. 

Is Goat Meat Healthy?

Yes, goat meat is very healthy and it provides many health benefits. Not only is goat meat very rich in protein, meaning that it will keep your hunger at bay for longer periods of time, but it’s also low in fat.

Beef, pork, and chicken are all much higher in saturated fat than goat meat. Another definite benefit of eating goat meat is that it is very nutrient-rich. It’s high in calcium, potassium, vitamin B-12, as well as other vitamins and minerals. 

As a result of goat meat being so healthy, it’s great for just about any eating plan, especially for those looking to keep their cholesterol levels lowered and lose weight. 

What Parts of the Goat Are Eaten?

There are four primary parts of the goat that are eaten: the loins, legs, ribs and shoulder.

The ribs will look similar to pork or beef ribs and can be slow-cooked to become tender and fall-off-the-bone tender.

The legs contain meat that is more tender than other parts, and it can be cooked however you desire, including braising, stewing, grilling, and, more.

The loin is a pork chop-like cut that includes meat from the lower back and lower rib areas. The meat is often marinated before baking it slowly in the oven.

At What Age Are Goats Slaughtered?

Many goats are slaughtered at the age of three – five months old, when they are between 25 and 50 pounds.

There are times when a goat isn’t slaughtered until it’s closer to a year old or even older, but it’s not common to wait so long.

The younger a goat is slaughtered, the most tender and light-colored its meat is. Older goats yield darker, tougher meat that often isn’t as tasty.

Is Goat Meat Tough?

Goat meat has the tendency to be tough because of its high muscle content, but this shouldn’t be a deterrent to eating this healthy and delicious meat.

Just like tough cuts of other meats, it’s easy to tenderize goat meat so that it practically melts in your mouth. Many people like the taste of their goat meat after marinating it.

Marination is a great way to simultaneously flavor and tenderize your meat. The longer you marinate it, the more tender and flavorful the meat will be, which is why many people opt to marinate their meat overnight. 

Goat meat also adds a delicious flavor to soups and stews, and since these meals are simmered slowly either on the stove top or in the slow cooker, it will allow the meat plenty of time to become tender.

You could also cook your goat meat in a pressure cooker, which has the ability to quickly tenderize it in case you’re in a hurry and don’t have all day to wait for it to cook in a slow cooker. 

What Are Some Good Goat Recipes?

When it comes to some good goat meat recipes, the sky is the limit. Choosing the perfect recipe will depend on the mood you’re in and what type of meal you want to make.

Here are the names of some excellent goat meat recipes that you might want to try:

  • Curried goat
  • Barbecued goat
  • Jamacian curry goat
  • Greek slow-roasted goat
  • And much more!

FAQ about Why Goat Meat Is So Expensive

Here are the answers to some common questions that people learning about buying and consuming goat meat might have. 

Can I eat goat meat every day?

You can eat goat meat every day, in most cases, but since it’s considered to be red meat, you might want to limit it to only a couple times a week. However, due to its low levels of saturated fat and high levels of nutrients, eating a normal portion of goat meat daily shouldn’t cause any health problems.

Can goat meat be eaten on the Keto diet?

The Keto diet is an eating plan that consists of high levels of fat, moderate levels of protein, and very low levels of carbohydrates. This combination of macros helps people to lose large amounts of weight in a short period of time. Since goat meat contains virtually no carbohydrates, you can eat it on your diet regularly, as it will even help you to lose weight.

Can I eat goat meat for breakfast?

Sure. You can eat goat meat for any meal that you desire, and if you’re creative in the kitchen, you might choose to make some goat sausage, which many people state is delicious. 

Does goat meat taste good?

Everyone is different and has different taste buds. If you know you’re picky and you don’t like eating “wild-tasting” meat, then you might want to refrain from spending your money on meat that you might dislike. Most people in the United States who eat goat meat have already eaten it and they’re always aware that it tastes good. If you’re just experimenting, then you might want to sample some goat meat that a friend has made before buying it, since it can be extremely expensive.

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