Somali Goat Meat Preference Survey
Sponsored by the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, this 2004 survey of Somali residents in the St. Paul/Minneapolis metropolitan area found that goat meat is the most widely consumed type of meat among this population segment, with over half of respondents indicating that they consume goat more than 7 times per week.
From interviews with 137 Somali residents of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area regarding their goat meat consumption preferences, it was found that:
- Somali families are large by American standards.
- Somali women are the primary purchasers of goat meat.
- Goat meat consumption is cyclical and higher during colder, winter months.
- Goat meat consumption increases with income, age, and U.S. residence.
- Goat is the most common type of meat consumed by Somalis.
- The majority of goat meat was purchased frozen, though women are more likely to purchase fresh than men.
- The largest impediment to purchases of goat meat are lack of fresh supply and information about where it can be purchased.
- The most important purchase criteria for Somali meat purchases is whether or not the product has Halal certification.
Number of meals per week including different types of meat:
Goat:
- Average (4.49)
- None (0%)
- 1-2 Meals (0%)
- 3-4 Meals (4%)
- 5-6 Meals (44%)
- 7 or More Meals (53%)
Lamb:
- Average (3.82)
- None (0%)
- 1-2 Meals (10%)
- 3-4 Meals (16%)
- 5-6 Meals (57%)
- 7 or More Meals (17%)
Beef:
- Average (3.24)
- None (0%)
- 1-2 Meals (24%)
- 3-4 Meals (29%)
- 5-6 Meals (47%)
- 7 or More Meals (0%)
Chicken:
- Average (2.20)
- None (1%)
- 1-2 Meals (79%)
- 3-4 Meals (19%)
- 5-6 Meals (1%)
- 7 or More Meals (0%)