It felt like a midsummer dream turned tangible plan for profitability in livestock farming, a sector known for slim margins. Yet the continuity of goat exports from Alicante to Africa and the Middle East proved unsustainable. Soaring cultivation and air transport costs slowed the business, despite sales of roughly 5,000 goats to Algeria, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The regional conflict spreading through the area added another layer of risk to transactions.
The venture began with promise in 2016, grounded in the unique traits of Alicante’s native goats. These animals drink just one liter of water to produce a liter of milk, a stark contrast to cows needing about five liters for the same yield. Their hardy constitution and disease resistance made them well suited to arid climates typical of parts of Africa and the Middle East, creating optimistic expectations for export markets.
Two farmers from Asaja, with holdings in Monóvar, Almoradí and Beneixama, launched the export initiative under the guidance of Acrimur, the Murciano-Granadina Goat Breeders Association. The first shipment went to Iran, followed by recurring deliveries to Iran and to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, notably Dubai.
The early phase was bright. Yet costs surged and eroded profits. Juan Luis Gimeno, a participating farmer who also oversees the sector for Asaja Alicante and serves as second vice president of the organization, explains that the goats’ disease resistance and heat tolerance were valuable, and the milk quality stood out. Still, the combined impact of the coronavirus and widespread price spikes shifted the balance unfavorably.
Fuel and logistics
Gimeno emphasizes fuel as a major hurdle, highlighting the complex logistics required to move goats from the farms to major hubs like Hospitalet or Zaragoza airports and then onward to destinations. One critical issue was the cost of air transport for goats. He notes that renting a cargo plane initially cost about 200,000 euros, a figure that has since doubled to around 400,000 euros.
Rising goat-raising costs compounded the challenge. Feed and grain prices surged to levels unseen in recent years, a trend tied to the war in Ukraine, a leading global producer. For example, feed rose from roughly 230 euros per tonne to about 380 euros, while clover increased from 180 euros to around 300 euros per tonne. These shifts pushed production costs upward across the board.
All of this occurred amid a drought that stretched across Spain. With insufficient rainfall, pasture diminished, forcing farmers to feed animals in pens, a practice that added to expenses. Importing feed and grain became more common as local harvests faltered.
As a result, the cost to raise a goat rose from about 140 euros to 200 euros. Gimeno notes that buyers in the export markets paid around 180 euros and showed little willingness to raise the price, making profitability precarious.
Another producer, Julián Huertas, echoed the sentiment: demand for exports remains, but it is not sustainable at current price levels. Brokers, he added, keep margins for themselves, which looks favorable to them but leaves farmers bearing the losses. The overall message was clear: export activity persists in some cases, but at significantly reduced volumes due to price pressure.
The Alicante goats were eventually exported to Iran, though the broader outlook remained fragile. Milk prices, already under pressure, added to the strain, and the perception that public support for the primary sector remained weak contributed to a sense of vulnerability. Huertas argued for more attentive policy and support to prevent dependence on foreign markets, warning against a future where domestic food production could be jeopardized.
Further complicating matters, ongoing regional conflicts, including the Middle East tensions and disruptions in the Red Sea, dampened prospects for a rapid recovery in trade. In this climate, Juan Luis Gimeno indicated that some smaller-scale operations persisted with Greece and Portugal, but volumes were notably lower than before. Still, he remained hopeful that prices would stabilize and that exports to these destinations could resume at meaningful levels if the market conditions aligned favorably.
In Alicante, the livestock sector faced a sobering reckoning. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food show a substantial decline in cattle and goats from 2022 to 2023, with thousands fewer head region-wide. This downturn, driven by higher costs and weaker milk prices, raised concerns about hiring and retention in a hard-hit profession. One farmer described the situation as a harsh reality of a sector that once offered clear returns but now confronts systemic cost pressures and volatile markets.
Despite the difficulties, some producers remain committed. They point to the essential need for consistent pricing and supportive policies that preserve the ability to export to destinations that once showed strong demand. The ultimate takeaway is cautious optimism: exports paused for the moment, but the experience demonstrated that Alicante’s goats possess strong resilience and milk quality, assets that could underpin a recovery when market conditions improve.
A goat on a farm in the province. Axel Alvarez