Australia cattle exports to Indonesia to suffer on lower demand

Australia's live cattle exports to Indonesia are expected to slow by 20 percent, as consumers shift preference to cheaper options such as farmed prawns amid the global economic crisis.

Trade has slowed in some regions, and may shrink further while prices could drop sharply in the next few months, according to Greg Pankhurst, who manages Agrogiriperkasa, one of Indonesia's largest feedlots.

Usual sales of 200 head per day have dropped to below 100 head per day, said Pankhurst, attributing the lower sales to tighter consumer expenses.