The Feasibility of Meat Goats in Minnesota
Summary Report
Consumers
Ethnic Demand
Seasonal Ethnic Demand
It is widely accepted that the major demand
for goat meat within the United States comes primarily from various ethnic groups.
In addition to the demand held by ethnic groups, some demand is now evidenced in a sector
of the U.S. population concerned about health issues. While this "health
food" sector represents only a small portion of total demand for goat meat, it
appears to be open for development (Pinkerton et al. 1994).
Ethnic Demand. Since its creation, the United States has
been held as the "melting pot" of the world. While it is true that many
immigrants come to the United States to begin new lives as American citizens, there is
increasing evidence that many of these same immigrants wish to maintain their ethnic
identity (Pinkerton 1995). It has been argued that for many ethnic and religious
groups within the United States, this desire to maintain identity plays a significant role
in consumption and consumer demand. That is, members of either of these two groups
may make increased efforts within their consumption patterns to maintain an identity with
their homeland. This effort is readily evidenced in food preference and selection.
Ethnic populations within the upper
Midwest and within Minnesota are increasing, with many of these ethnic populations
preferring goat meat. It is currently estimated that between 1995 and 2025 Minnesota
can expect to have one hundred and ninety thousand foreign immigrants into the
state. During a similar period, the United States is expected to increase in
population to 44 million due to foreign immigration (U.S. Census Bureau 1998).
Increases in the ethnic population will increase the demand for ethnic food, including
goat meat.
Goat meat is consumed in a number of
countries throughout the world, but the primary ethnic population contributing to the
increased demand for goat meat within the state of Minnesota is the Somali
population. Additional demand for goat meat was found in the Hispanic and Hmong
population as well as ethnic populations from Middle Eastern countries.
Language and cultural barriers make
obtaining information about the preferences of ethnic consumers of goat meat
difficult. Several meat brokers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area have indicated that
the population eating goat meat within the metropolitan area was somewhere in the
neighborhood of fifty thousand people (Ahmal 1999). Other estimates place the Somali
population in Minnesota (the entire state) somewhere between nine thousand and thirty-five
thousand (Olson 2000). Estimates of the number of goat eaters appeared to be fairly
consistent among the differing brokers, but consumption figures varied widely. One
broker estimated the demand for goat meat to be one thousand carcasses per week, while two
other brokers estimated the demand to be nearer one thousand to one thousand five hundred
carcasses per month (Strategic Performance Group 1999, Ahmal 1999).
A recent survey of Somali consumers
provided the demographic information found in Figures 13, 14, 15, 16. In addition, consumers were asked what price they were
currently paying for goat meat. Figure
16 shows the distribution of responses. The average price currently paid by
ethnic consumers responding in the survey was $2.68. While the results of the survey
provide some information concerning potential ethnic demand further work is needed
to quantify other ethnic demand in Minnesota and surrounding states.
Seasonal Ethnic Demand. While a vast majority of goat meat is
consumed over the entire year, there are some distinct seasonal consumption
patterns. Most of this variation in goat meat consumption is a result of cultural
traditions and religious affiliations. To a smaller degree some of the fluctuations
can be attributed to seasonality in goat meat production (Pinkerton 1995). Because
consumption of goat meat during cultural and religious holidays is considerable, it is
advantageous for producers and marketers to understand the timing and importance of the
holiday as they relate to ethnic consumers (see Appendix 3).
Christian holidays deserving specific consideration include Easter, Palm Sunday, and Good
Friday. Important Jewish holidays include Passover, Hanukkah, and Rosh
Hashanah. Islamic holidays that play an important role in goat meat consumption
include Ramadan, Id Al Fitr, and Id Al Adha. Descriptions of the religious
significance for each of these holidays and the type of meat desired for each are found in
Appendix 3 and 4).
Depending on the particular faith of the ethnic population
under consideration, the religious holiday or ethnic festival will occur on a particular
date based on the position of the sun (solar), the position of the moon (lunar), or some
combination of the positions of the sun and moon (lunisolar). Because the Julian
calendar is based on the assumption that the solar year is 365.25 days (when in reality it
is slightly less than 365.25) holidays between western churches (following the Julian
calendar for religious celebrations) and the eastern churches (following the lunar
calendar for religious celebrations) are slightly different. Appendix
4 shows specific calendar dates for Christian (both Eastern and Western), Jewish, and
Islamic holidays.
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