The goat or domestic goat is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the animal family Bovidae and the tribe Caprini, meaning it is closely related to the sheep.
An adult Mashona or Matebele goat fetches no more than $100 on the local market, but prices for a commercial Boer goat or Kalahari Red range between $500 and $600. A farmer wishing to buy the South African breeds for breeding purposes pays at least $1 500 per ewe or ram.
Zimbabwe has around 3,4 million goats, with the most common breeds being the Matebele and Mashona that are reared on a subsistence basis. However, more farmers are turning commercial. The Boer goat and Kalahari Red, both of which originate from South Africa, are the most preferred. Farmers are encouraged to rear more goats by the presence of a ready local market for chevon from a population who is developing a taste for leaner meats.
The international market for Chevon has been on an upward trend as indicated by world imports, which increased by 140% in the eight years up to 2014. The world’s imports of goat meat rose to $372 million from $155 million during the same period. The top importers of goat meat included the UAE ($98 million), Saudi Arabia ($60 million), Bahrain ($33 million), Oman ($14 million), and Qatar ($14 million).
An adult Mashona or Matebele goat fetches no more than $100 on the local market, but prices for a commercial Boer goat or Kalahari Red range between $500 and $600. A farmer wishing to buy the South African breeds for breeding purposes pays at least $1 500 per ewe or ram.
Zvikomborero Gozho specialises in Boer goats at his property further north of Inyathi, in Chegutu near Harare. “We have a big opportunity as a country, but the limitation is that we have not commercialised the goat per se,” says Gozho, who is also secretary of the Boer Goat Breeders’ Association of Zimbabwe (BGBAZ).
“The ongoing transition from subsistence to commercial production has created much demand. Also, Zimbabwe has an advantage because our landscape is favourable for the goat. We have good grazing and shrubs for browsing. That diversity of plant species is good for goats, so a farmer spends less on supplementary feeding.”
How much does a goat cost in Zimbabwe?
“Pure breeds are expensive and fetch as high as US$2 000. Prices range from US$500 and US$2 000 depending on age and quality,” he said. “We are having inquiries from people out of Zimbabwe who want to buy female Boer goats, but we stopped selling the females to allow our herd to grow.
How much does a sheep cost in Zimbabwe?
The cost of buying sheep varies depending on age and purpose – prices can range from roughly US$75 for lambs to US$250 or so for ewe around 2 to 4 years of age.
Is goat farming profitable in Zimbabwe?
Goat farming in Zimbabwe is a very profitable business with great growth potential. The demand for goat meat and skin is high, and there are many ways of marketing goats.
What type of goats is in Zimbabwe?
Kusina (2000) identified five breeds of goats in Zimbabwe and these are the Mashona, Matebele, Boer, Saanen and Angora goats.
What is the best breed of goat in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has around 3,4 million goats, with the most common breeds being the Matebele and Mashona that are reared on a subsistence basis. However, more farmers are turning commercial. The Boer goat and Kalahari Red, both of which originate from South Africa, are the most preferred.