January 20, 2006

Australian live cattle exports up in November 2005

Australian live cattle exports during November 2005 were 17 percent higher than November 2004 levels, reaching a total shipment of 58,933 head.  The spike in exports was aided by strong exports to Indonesia and the Middle East.

A total of 538,169 head were shipped for the first 11 months of 2005. This figure is 9 percent lower compared with the same period in 2004. Some A$46 million worth of live cattle were shipped in November, similar to the previous year. 

Importing about 64 percent of November shipments, Indonesia remains the major market for Australian cattle. It imported 37,574 head for November. Exports to other major South-east Asian markets were weaker. There were no exports to the Philippines and only 2,700 head were exported to Malaysia.

In November, 6,198 head were shipped to Israel and Saudi Arabia received 5,772 head. Reduced numbers of cattle were shipped to Mexico at 2,300 head and the United Arab Emirates at 1,070 head.