December 23, 2013
In order to avoid severe beef shortages and price spikes seen in 2013, Indonesia plans to approve a 66% increase in live cattle import permits for 2014, all but abandoning a 2014 self-sustainability drive.
Earlier this week, Indonesia's agriculture minister said that beef and cattle consumption would hit 560,000 tonnes in 2014, up from 549,000 tonnes this year.
"In 2014, we plan to allow live cattle imports of 722,000-750,000 heads, of which around 25% have to be productive female cattle," said Bachrul Chairi, director general of foreign trade at the trade ministry.
This year, Indonesia issued import permits for 452,000 cattle heads, Chairi added. Currently, Indonesia only allows beef and cattle imports from either Australia or New Zealand.
After an import corruption scandal tainted the ruling coalition government, beef and cattle imports have been a controversial issue in Indonesia this year, which was then involved in a diplomatic spat with main supplier, Australia.
