March 17, 2014

Vietnamese companies are investing millions in cattle infrastructure, so that they can cater for the extra supply, and also meet the animal welfare standards enforced by Australia (ESCAS), ABC reports.

The growth of Australia's live cattle exports to Vietnam is exceeding predictions by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), with the booming live cattle trade to Vietnam driving huge investment in Vietnamese abattoirs and feedlots.

Importing company Ket Phat Thinh, took 36,000 Australian cattle last year, and is increasing its spending so it can take even more this year.

The buffalo industry will also benefit thanks to the establishment of a live export trade with Vietnam.

Almost overnight, the Northern Territory's buffalo industry has gone from having almost no markets to having a customer demanding record numbers.

Secretary of the NT Buffalo Industry Council (NTBIC), Harmony Teelow, said that after several lean years, the industry now has a challenge on its hands to meet the strong demand.

She said, realistically, the Northern Territory could supply around 10,000 head this year to Vietnam.

The buffalo industry is being very careful not to over-promise and under-deliver to the Vietnam market this year. But even a conservative 10,000 head exported in 2014 would be a record-breaking achievement.

In 2012, only 628 buffalo were exported from the Northern Territory, with many others sold domestically as pet meat for very low prices.

Despite large aerial culls, the wild buffalo population in regions such as Arnhem Land is exploding, and the Northern Territory government now estimates (conservatively) there are 100,000 wild buffalo in the Top End.