Small-scale goat farming
Keep a small herd of indigenous or meat goats and sell live animals to neighbours, for ceremonies, at auctions or to speculators.
Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026
- Startup costR5 000 to R40 000
- First incomeabout 240 days
- Price evidenceR1 200 to R3 500 / goat
- Commercial viability53 / 100
Who it suits
People in rural areas or on smallholdings with grazing, water and someone to watch the herd every day.
The customer and the problem
Typical customer: Families buying for ceremonies and celebrations, neighbours, auctions and speculators.
Healthy goats close by for ceremonies and meat.
Is there demand?
The Western Cape agriculture department reports average live goat producer prices of R47 to R67 per kg in August 2026. A Department of Agriculture study in North West found village farmers sold does for about R1,589 and bucks for about R1,664.
- Selling to families for ceremonies
- Local livestock auctions
- Listing on livestock marketplaces such as Digikraal
Getting customers
Word of mouth, especially before festive seasons and ceremonies, plus local auctions.
Relies on: Word of mouth and referrals, In-person networking, Listing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!).
Money
- Revenue model: Selling live animals per head or per kg.
- Price evidence: Village does sold for about R1,589 and bucks for about R1,664 in a Department of Agriculture study; Digikraal listings put kids at about R1,400 and does with kids at about R3,044 (Oct 2026). Producer prices averaged R47 to R67 per kg live in August 2026 (Elsenburg).
- Gross margin: Depends on losses, feed and the price at sale.
- Payment costs: Cash or EFT.
- Operating costs: Feed, vaccines, dosing, water and fencing.
- Recurring costs: Supplementary feed in winter, vaccines, dosing, water, fencing repairs.
Time to first income
Goats carry for about five months and kids need months to grow, so money comes slowly unless you buy and resell.
Competition, risks and scale
Moderate; prices move with the season.
- Disease and worms: vaccinate and dose on a schedule
- Theft: kraal at night and brand or tag animals
- Drought and winter feed costs
Room to grow: Grows slowly as the herd breeds.
Legal and tax in South Africa
Animals must be identified with a registered brand or tattoo under the Animal Identification Act, and municipal by-laws may limit livestock near homes. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
How it fits South Africa: Strong in rural areas.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start small-scale goat farming in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R5 000 to R40 000. Recurring costs: Supplementary feed in winter, vaccines, dosing, water, fencing repairs.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 240 days, and between 150 and 365 days. Goats carry for about five months and kids need months to grow, so money comes slowly unless you buy and resell.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.
What about tax and legal rules?
Animals must be identified with a registered brand or tattoo under the Animal Identification Act, and municipal by-laws may limit livestock near homes. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy