March 3, 2015

Indonesia remains biggest importer of Aussie live cattle

Australia's live cattle exports to Indonesia rose 63% in 2014, with the latter holding on to its position as the No. 1 importer of the Aussie bovine animals; Vietnam is a distant second.

Last year, Indonesia accepted 730,257 live cows from Australia into its territories, a trend stimulated by strong local demands. Overall, Aussie live cattle export expanded by 33% during the same year.

Also vying for Australia's cattle are Vietnam and China. Vietnam, which is emerging as an important market for such products, imported 181,542 Aussie live cows last year while China imported a record 117,906 animals, mainly dairy cows.

However, Alison Penfold, of the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council, revealed a recent incidence of oversupply due to rising international trade. She added that the matter was being discussed amongst exporters. She expressed hope that the cattle exports to Vietnam would not be undermined by undesirable consequences.

According to the Australian Statistics Bureau, the country's total live cattle export was valued at US$1.23 billion last year.