For the period 2000 to 2011, however, an average annual growth rate of almost three per cent was achieved, output having risen from 1.9 million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes (Table 1).

It is clear from this table and Figure 1 that Asia was the only region exhibiting strong growth over the review period. Indeed, because goose meat production in Europe has declined, Asia increased her contribution towards the global total from 94 per cent to more than 96 per cent in 2011.

A closer examination of the leading producing countries (Table 2) reveals that mainland China is totally dominant accounting for 98.5 per cent of Asia’s output and over 96 per cent of the world total.

Production in Europe is currently well below the year 2000 level although there are indications that the downward trend has been halted, output having stabilised during the latter part of the review period. Two significant features in this region have been the contraction of Hungary’s industry contrasting with the growth that has occurred in Poland, though even here output has levelled off since 2006.

Figure 1. Indigenous goose meat production ('000 tonnes)

Goose Meat Trade

Regarding exports and imports of goose meat, FAO statistics include the trade in guinea fowl though the latter will be tiny in relation to the quantities of goose meat.

The volumes of goose and guinea fowl meat traded in 2011 were nearly one-third lower than in 2000 (Tables 3 and 4). The slump in exports from Asia in 2010 and 2011 were the result of a dramatic fall in sales from mainland China from around 16,000 tonnes a year to nil.

Throughout the review period, exports from Europe were steady though, as with other forms of poultry meat, almost all the trade was conducted between European Union member countries.

Two countries dominate the export business, Poland selling 16,000 tonnes a year in 2011, and Hungary with some 13,000 tonnes.

As can be expected from the export data, the imports side of the business revolves around Europe, this area accounting for around 96 per cent of the global total.

Germany is the prime buyer taking around 23,000 tonnes a year or some 70 per cent of the Europe total, followed by Austria (2,500 tonnes), with Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the UK and France, each purchasing between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes.

February 2014