November 9, 2007

Australia's live cattle exports to Indonesia up by 37 percent

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Indonesia's live cattle imports from Australia are on track to set a new high, following another on-year increase in exports in September. Statistics also show that while total cattle exports for the month declined 24 percent on September 2006, to 51,451 head, shipments to Indonesia are up by 23 percent, to 43,086 heads.

Robust demand from Indonesia, combined with good supplies out of Australia has been fuelling the record shipments to Indonesia, with exports for the first nine months of 2007 up 37 percent, at 413,015 head. With three months of shipments still remaining in 2007, a new calendar year record looks very likely, surpassing the previous high of 429,615 head set in 2002. Export returns for 2007 have already set a new calendar record, at A$275 million FOB.

Live cattle shipments fell to almost all other markets during September. Exports to Malaysia plunged 78 percent year-on-year, to 1,811 head, while shipments to Japan fell 30 percent, to 2,155 head. After steady volumes in the previous month, there were no shipments recorded to the Philippines, Israel and China during September. Saudi Arabia was the second largest market for Australian cattle during September, receiving 3,200 head - back 42 percent year-on-year.

Overall, Australian live cattle exports for the first nine months of 2007 were up 14 percent, at 560,363 head - the highest since 2003.