YoKu Farm expands as demand for sheep meat grows

March 17, 2025 9:52 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Nicholas Mwai.

YoKu Farm, an eco-tourism project in Rentapau, has expanded its operations as demand for sheep meat rises in Vanuatu. The farm now has 105 sheep, with more Ni-Vanuatu buying locally bred sheep after developing a taste for the meat while working in Australia and New Zealand.

Joe Carolyn Ernst, the owner and manager of YoKu Farm, said the surge in demand has been noticeable in recent years. “At first, sales were slow, but now, people who worked in Australia and New Zealand are coming back and buying sheep. Maybe they got used to eating sheep meat there and want to continue enjoying it here,” Ernst explained.

The trend is not limited to individual buyers—farmers in Santo have also been purchasing sheep in larger numbers, with some buying up to ten at a time.

To keep up with the growing demand, YoKu Farm has been expanding its breeding program. Ernst has focused on crossbreeding local sheep with “shedders,” a breed that naturally sheds its wool, eliminating the need for shearing. This makes them easier to manage and more suitable for Vanuatu’s climate.

“We breed our own sheep, using only local breeds and crossbreeding with shedders—so we don’t have to shear them,” Ernst said.

While the farm keeps most of the female sheep for breeding, male sheep are primarily sold for meat. “We keep a few males for breeding, but most are sold to meet demand,” he added.

Sheep farming has not traditionally been widespread in Vanuatu, but changing consumer habits are driving a shift. Many Ni-Vanuatu returning from overseas work programmes have developed a preference for sheep meat and are now looking for local sources.