February 10, 2010

Australia posts strong livestock export earnings

Overseas demand for high quality Australian livestock delivered its strongest returns in seven years in 2009, with export earnings reaching a total of A$996.5 million (US$872 million).
 

The number of live cattle exported from Australia increased by almost 10% in 2009, contributing a record A$662 million (US$579 million) to the Australian economy.

Australia exported 948,240 cattle last year, an increase of 80,000 from the 868,510 head exported in 2008.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) livestock exports manager Michael Finucan said it was encouraging to see that demand for high quality, healthy and disease-free Australian livestock remained strong in 2009 while many other industries' revenues decreased significantly as a result of the global financial crisis.

The volume of live cattle exported from Australia last year was at its highest level since 2002, said Finucan.

Indonesia remains Australia's largest market for cattle, primarily from northern Australia, with the 768,133 cattle exported there last year representing 81% of total export numbers, he said.

"We also saw 59,000 head of high quality breeding dairy cattle exported in 2009, with 55% of these going to China to support the ongoing development of its dairy herd," he added.