The number of goat stock in South Africa amounted to 5.17 million heads in 2020. Compared to the previous year, this was a drop from 5.25 million heads. Since 2010, the goat population in the country has followed a declining trend. Moreover, the number of slaughtered goats in South Africa amounted to 719,200 thousand in 2020.

Indigenous goats form the majority of populations in smallholder; low input, low output production systems and are considered an important genetic resource due to their adaptability to different production environments and support communal farming. Effective population size (N_e), inbreeding levels, and the runs of homozygosity (ROHs) are effective tools for exploring the genetic diversity and understanding the demographic history in efforts to support breeding strategies to use and conserve genetic resources. Across populations, the current N_e of Gauteng was the lowest at 371 animals, while the historical N_e across populations suggests that the ancestor Ne has decreased by 53.86%, 44.58%, 42.16% and 41.16% in Free State (FS), North West (NW), Limpopo (LP) and Gauteng (GP), respectively, over the last 971 generations. Genomic inbreeding levels related to ancient kinship (F_ROH >5Mb) was highest in FS (0.08±0.09) and lowest for Eastern Cape (EC) (0.02±0.02). A total of 871 ROH island regions which include important environmental adaptation and hermo-tolerance genes such as IL10RB, IL23A, FGF9, IGF1, EGR1, MTOR and MAPK3 were identified (occurring in over 20% of the samples) in FS (n = 37), GP (n = 42), NW (n = 2) populations only. The mean length of ROH across populations was 7.76Mb and ranged from 1.61Mb KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to 98.05Mb (GP and NW). Distribution of ROH according to their size showed that the majority (n = 1949) of the detected ROH were >5Mb in length than the other categories. Assuming two hypothetical ancestral populations, the population from KZN and LP are revealed, supporting PC 1. The genomes of KZN and LP shared an origin but have substantial admixture from the EC and NW populations. The findings revealed that the occurrence of high Ne and autozygosity varied largely across breeds in communal indigenous goat populations at recent and ancient events when a genome-wide Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker was used. The use of Illumina goat SNP50K BeadChip shows that there was a migration route of communal indigenous goat populations from the northern part (LP) of South Africa to the eastern areas of the KZN, that confirmed their historical relatedness and which coincide with the migration periods of the Bantu nation.

Forecast: Whole Fresh Goat Milk Producing Population in Southern Africa 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

angora_plosGenotyping data of 104 angora goats (30 from Argentina, 26 from France and 48 from South Africa) genotyped with the standardized 50k Goat SNP Chip. Date file is made of 5 colums: 1st Column -> country code (AR -> Argentina, FR -> France, ZA -> South Africa); 2nd column -> Individual ID; 3rd column -> snp name; 4th column ->: allel 1 ; 5th column -> allel 2.

Extensively raised livestock populations in most smallholder farming communities are exposed to harsh and heterogeneous climates and disease pathogen that they adapt to in order to survive. Majority of these livestock species including goats are of non-descript breeds and their response to natural selection presented by heterogeneous environments is still unresolved. This study investigated genetic diversity and its association with environmental and geographic conditions in 194 South African indigenous goats from different geographic using Illumina goat SNP50K genotypes. The Tankwa goats formed a homogeneous genetic cluster restricted to the Northern Cape province. Overall, the Boer, Kalahari Red, and Savanna showed a wide geographic spread of shared genetic components whereas the village ecotypes revealed a longitudinal distribution. The relative importance of environmental factors on genetic variation of goat populations was assessed using Redundancy Analysis (RDA). Variance partitioning using Model I with both climatic and geographic variables explained 22% of the total variation while model II with climatic variables accounted for 17%. Model III, which accounted for geographic variables, explained 1% of the total variation. The first axis (Model I) of the RDA analysis, revealed 329 outlier SNPs. Landscape genomic approaches of Spatial Analysis Method identified a total of 843 (1.75%) SNPs, while Latent Factor Mixed Models identified 714 (1.48%) SNPs significantly associated with environmental variables. Significant markers were within genes involved in biological functions potentially important for environmental adaptation. Overall, the study suggested environmental factors to have some effect in shaping the genetic variation of South African indigenous goat populations.

In 2021, the number of living chickens in South Africa amounted to about 170 million heads. Sheep, cattle, and goats followed with 21.43 million, 12.2 million, and 5.14 million heads, respectively. In contrast, there were only about 16,000 mules in the same year.

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Goat Milk Market Size 2024-2028

The goat milk market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.14 billion at a CAGR of 6.05% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is witnessing significant growth due to several key factors. One of the primary drivers is the increasing demand for lactose-free and lower lactose dairy products. Goat milk, being naturally lower in lactose compared to cow's milk, is gaining popularity among consumers with lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Another trend influencing the market is the rising preference for flavored goat milk, especially among children and health-conscious consumers. However, the market faces challenges from stringent government regulations in goat milk production. These regulations ensure the safety and quality of goat milk products but also increase production costs. Producers must comply with these regulations to maintain market credibility and consumer trust. Overall, the market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.

What will the size of the market be during the forecast period?

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The dairy industry has witnessed a significant shift in consumer preferences towards healthier and more digestion-friendly alternatives. Goat dairy products have emerged as a viable solution for those with lactose intolerance, digestion problems, and allergies, offering a more natural and nutrient-dense choice compared to conventional dairy products. Goat dairy products, derived from goat's milk, have gained popularity among health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to unhealthy lifestyles. These consumers appreciate the various health benefits associated with goat milk, including its high potassium, vitamin A, calcium, and protein content. The lactose intolerant population represents a substantial market segment for goat dairy products. Goat milk contains less lactose than cow's milk, making it an accessible choice for individuals who struggle with lactose intolerance. Moreover, goat milk is easier to digest due to its smaller fat globule size and shorter protein molecules.
The infant population is another market segment that benefits from goat milk. Goat milk formula is a popular alternative to cow's milk formula, providing essential nutrients for growing infants. Goat milk's nutrient profile, including its high protein, calcium, and magnesium content, makes it an excellent choice for supporting bone health in infants. Goat dairy products offer a range of benefits for health-conscious consumers. They contain fewer calories, fats, and proteins than their cow milk counterparts, making them a suitable choice for those looking to manage their caloric intake.

How is this market segmented and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Product

  Fresh goat milk
  Processed goat milk


Distribution Channel

  Offline
  Online


Geography

  APAC

    China
    India


  Europe

    France
    Spain


  North America

    US


  South America



  Middle East and Africa

By Product Insights

The fresh goat milk segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Goat milk, specifically fresh goat milk (FGM), is a natural and easily digestible dairy product. Unlike pasteurized and processed cow milk, FGM is unadulterated and rich in essential nutrients. The small size of goat milk's lactose molecules makes it an ideal alternative for individuals with lactose intolerance. FGM contains protein A2 casein, which is easier to digest than protein A1 casein found in cow milk. Approximately 7% of children in the United States experience cow milk allergies, often due to reactions to alpha S1 casein or whey proteins. Goat milk's similar pH level to human milk and lower lactose content make it a suitable substitute for those affected. Furthermore, goat milk boasts a rich nutritional profile. It contains high levels of proteins, calories, and healthy fats. Additionally, it is a natural source of essential minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus.

Further, the liquid milk segment of the market is expected to grow due to its increasing popularity as a healthier alternative to cow milk. The production of goat milk relies on goat feed and raw material prices. As such, the cost of goat feed and raw materials can impact the market's growth. However, the demand for goat milk products, including cheese, remains strong. In conclusion, fresh goat milk offers numerous health benefits and is a suitable alternative for individuals with lactose intolerance or cow milk allergies. Its nutrient-rich profile, including proteins, calories, healthy fats, magnesium, and phosphorus, make